Russia and African countries have jointly called for sweeping reforms of global governance institutions and rejected unilateral sanctions imposed outside the United Nations framework as leaders concluded the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit on Thursday.
In a declaration adopted at the end of the two-day summit in Moscow, the leaders committed to pursuing reforms of the UN Security Council, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to secure greater African representation and influence in global decision-making.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and African Union Chairperson Evariste Ndayishimiye addressed the closing session of the summit before overseeing the adoption of the declaration and an accompanying cooperation action plan for 2027-2029.
A central theme of the gathering was the push for a more equitable international order, with leaders opposing what they described as unilateral coercive measures that violate international law, including sanctions imposed without the approval of the UN Security Council.
The declaration also rejected the freezing or confiscation of sovereign assets and condemned political and economic coercion targeting sovereign states.
Leaders further pledged to counter what they termed neocolonial practices that undermine national sovereignty, restrict independent decision-making and facilitate the exploitation of natural resources. These include the controversial health-for-aid deals that the Trump administration has been pushing African countries to enter into.
On multilateral governance, Russia and African countries agreed to intensify efforts to reform the UN Security Council to increase African representation while also pressing for broader reforms of international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.
The summit also called for the full and active participation of South Africa in the G20 to be restored as soon as possible.
South Africa has been excluded from meetings of the G20 since the US took over the presidency of the grouping of the world’s largest economies in December last year, with the Trump administration arguing that the African country does not deserve to be a member of the organisation.
Beyond governance issues, the declaration outlined areas for expanded cooperation in security, infrastructure, trade, technology and cultural affairs.
Leaders agreed to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, particularly in response to the growing use of drones, encrypted communication platforms and digital financial systems by terrorist groups.
They also opposed what they described as the politicisation of international arms control, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation mechanisms.
In the economic sphere, the declaration called for increased cooperation in the development of precious metals industries and the expansion of maritime, river, road, rail and aviation infrastructure.
The two sides also committed to expanding collaboration in peaceful space exploration, satellite technologies and scientific research.
The declaration further supported the return of cultural artefacts removed from African countries during the colonial era and endorsed efforts to explore legal mechanisms for assessing and seeking compensation for damages inflicted during colonial rule.
The third Russia-Africa Summit brought together Russian and African leaders, ministers and senior officials to review progress in relations and identify new areas of cooperation amid growing geopolitical competition and shifting global alliances.
JN/APA