On Wednesday, June 5, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in N’Djamena, Chad, marking the final leg of his African tour, which had previously taken him to Guinea, the Republic of Congo, and Burkina Faso.
As part of his official visit, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with his Chadian counterpart, Abderaman Koulamallah, to discuss bilateral cooperation.
Historically, France has maintained significant influence in Central and Western Africa, but Lavrov reassured that Russia’s diplomatic engagement with Chad is not intended to undermine relations with other nations, instead focusing on strengthening mutual ties.
“I can guarantee you that our friendship with Chad will not affect our relations with France in any way. France has other approaches, it proceeds from the fact that either you are with us or you are against us,” he said.
Related: Congo Hosts Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Bid to Strengthen Relations
In 2024, Russia and Chad will mark a significant milestone, celebrating six decades of diplomatic relations. Russia’s increased engagement with Africa recently has introduced a new dynamic to the continent’s geopolitical landscape, as the Russian Federation pursues strategic partnerships and intensified cooperation with African nations.
The Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s trip to Chad comes on the heels of Chadian President Mahamat Deby Itno’s visit to Russia in January, further solidifying the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
