Congo president meets Putin to discuss deepening economic ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou N’Guesso in Moscow on April 29th, signalling a renewed push to strengthen economic and political ties between the two countries, reports Africa News with agencies on April 29th.

Speaking at the Kremlin, Putin described bilateral relations as “promising,” highlighting opportunities for cooperation across several key sectors, including energy, agriculture, logistics and geological exploration. He emphasised that the two nations could expand their partnership particularly in economic development.

Sassou N’Guesso echoed this sentiment, stating that “all the conditions” were in place to successfully implement joint projects. He pointed to the long-standing relationship between the two countries, rooted in “friendship, solidarity, and cooperation,” which spans areas such as security, defence and economic collaboration.

Russia has been actively expanding its diplomatic and economic presence across Africa in recent years, positioning itself as an alternative partner to Western influence on the continent.

The meeting comes shortly after Sassou N’Guesso secured a fifth term in office following last month’s presidential election. Putin congratulated his counterpart on the victory, noting that political stability in the Republic of the Congo created favourable conditions for business and investment.

However, the election has drawn criticism from opposition groups. Several parties boycotted the vote, arguing that the process lacked credibility. Two prominent opposition leaders were imprisoned ahead of the election, while others remained in exile. Sassou N’Guesso ultimately won nearly 95 per cent of the vote against a relatively weak field of challengers.

Despite the controversy, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on the international stage. Putin praised the Republic of the Congo’s role as a partner in global affairs and extended an invitation to Sassou N’Guesso to attend the upcoming Russia-Africa Forum, expected to take place later this year.

The talks reflect Moscow’s continued efforts to deepen its engagement with African nations, with a particular focus on economic partnerships and strategic alliances.

Africa News with agencies, Maghrebi.org