Russian President Vladimir Putin met with leaders of Nigeria and Sudan on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi, reported Africa News. The summit is widely seen as a reflection of Russia’s push for economic and military influence in Africa.
Around 3,000 delegates from Russia and African countries are at the summit for the two-day event at the Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss an array of topics from nuclear energy to mineral extraction.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said he was grateful to Russia for helping reduce the terrorists of Boko Haram.
“Thanks to the support of our friends and allies like the Russian Federation, we have significantly reduced the terrorists of Boko Haram”, he said.
Buhari and Putin agreed to put Nigeria-Russia relations on a fast track, and pursue the completion of all abandoned projects initiated by both countries.
Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, also met with Putin and reiterated support and co-operation between the two countries.
“From our side, we are waiting for the agreement on further cooperation between Sudan and Russia to be approved and signed by you so we can cooperate in reforming the military institution and developing the capacities of its armed forces,” Burhan said.
Putin said Russia will support Sudan in bringing the domestic political situation in the country back to normal and insisted that the international community’s approaches to the Sudanese problem will be unbiased and objective.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni also praised Russia for its support in building Uganda’s army with Russian equipment. He urged his Russian counterpart to consider cooperating with Uganda on the issue of vaccines for humans and livestock, space technology and cooperation at international fora.
The inaugural Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum is being co-chaired by the presidents of Russia and Egypt. The summit will run from October 23-24 in Sochi.
