By Malick Mahamat

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chad commemorated Russia Day on June 16, 2026, marking the principal national holiday of the Russian Federation.

During his address, Russian Ambassador to Chad, Vladimir Sokolenko, highlighted the consistent and secure development of Russo-Chadian relations. He emphasized a foundation of traditional friendship and cooperation, built on an equal partnership that serves the best interests of both nations’ peoples.

Russia has voiced its appreciation for Chad’s commitment to social progress and the strengthening of national sovereignty, as articulated by the Chadian President. A positive momentum has been established in the bilateral political dialogue. Russian President Vladimir Poutine extended an invitation to the Chadian leader, Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, for the upcoming Russia-Africa summit in Moscow this October. This summit is anticipated to facilitate a second bilateral meeting between the two heads of state, following President Déby’s official visit to Moscow in January 2024.

In June 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergueï Lavrov made a historic visit to N’Djaména, the first by a Russian foreign minister in 60 years of diplomatic ties, engaging in discussions with Chadian leadership. Subsequently, in September, on the sidelines of the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly, Minister Lavrov met with Dr Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, Chad’s Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad. Their discussions focused on current issues pertinent to Russia-Chad cooperation, with plans for continued high-level diplomatic engagements.

The working collaboration between the two Foreign Ministries operates under a political consultation protocol, which was updated in 2024 in Sochi, during the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership. On the international stage, the diplomatic services of Russia and Chad, through mutual support, are actively working to ensure that African interests are considered in the reform efforts of the United Nations Security Council. This reform directly impacts decisions concerning the fate of nation-states. In this context, both Russia and Chad welcomed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s statement last May, which underscored the urgent need for comprehensive international system reform. Guterres notably stated: “Africa’s immense potential is hampered by an unjust international system. This must change. We must strive to create a different system that grants Africa the voice, resources, and representation it has long been denied.”

Within the African continent, Russia acknowledges and supports Chad’s significant authority, its crucial role in resolving regional conflicts, and its contributions to facilitating peacekeeping missions.

Last May, six Chadian police officers were selected for training organized by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, as part of a program focusing on “The activities of the United Nations police contingent in peacekeeping operations.” Both Russia and Chad advocate for the establishment of new security mechanisms and expanded cooperation in Central Africa, including the Sahel, prioritizing the interests of the region’s states.

Russia also supports N’Djaména’s initiatives within the African Union aimed at diversifying regional payment systems and establishing a new regional currency to replace the CFA franc. Such steps are vital for African economy news and financial independence.

A primary area of cooperation between Russia and Chad involves the training of Chadian national personnel in Russian universities.

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in demand for secondary vocational education. Russia is vigorously advancing its “Professionalisation” project, which includes international students and involves the creation of training and production hubs. In this context, a dialogue has been initiated between the vocational education ministries of both countries.

The Republic of Chad benefits from one of the highest budget quotas, offering 360 scholarships. Concurrently, the agenda for bilateral negotiations remains focused on reforming the recruitment system for young Chadians to study in Russia, aiming to provide Chad with enhanced benefits and further increase its national quota. The strong Russia Chad cooperation exemplifies mutual respect for each other’s interests, alongside equal and mutually advantageous collaboration for the well-being of both peoples. Russia and Chad possess promising prospects for further strengthening their friendship and cooperation, as concluded by the Ambassador.

It is worth recalling that Russia Day, since 1990, symbolizes the beginning of a period of democratization in Russian history, marking a pivotal stage in the millennium-long history of the Russian state.

The ceremony took place at a local hotel, attended by the Secretary-General of Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad, representing the minister, along with various diplomatic officials accredited to Chad and several administrative authorities.