rd Russia-Africa Summit: Putin Reaffirms Strategic Partnership with Algeria and Backs Western Sahara Self-Determination

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Algeria as a major strategic partner and reaffirmed Moscow's firm support for the self-determination rights of the Western Sahara people during the closing of the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Thursday.

Addressing the assembly of heads of state and government, the Russian leader highlighted the strength and high quality of historically rooted bilateral ties between Moscow and Algiers. Turning to regional geopolitics, Putin emphasized that Russia's position on the Western Sahara issue remains strictly aligned with the United Nations Charter and international law.

In a message delivered on his behalf by Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune called for establishing a balanced, sovereign Russia-Africa partnership free from foreign interference and tailored to the continent's development priorities. Tebboune stressed the need to eliminate the remaining vestiges of colonialism in Africa while advocating for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to address historical injustices against the continent.

On the economic front, the Algerian president highlighted major regional integration infrastructure projects spearheaded by Algeria, including the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, the Trans-Saharan Highway, and the optic fiber backbone. These initiatives aim to enhance regional connectivity, energy security, and strategic trade exchanges between Russia and Africa.

Wissem Chergui