Gaborone, May 6, 2026 – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Russian Federation have reaffirmed their strategic partnership following a courtesy call by Russian Ambassador Andrey Kemarskiy to SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi in Gaborone.

The meeting reviewed progress on two key agreements signed in 2018: the Memorandum of Understanding on Basic Principles of Relations and Cooperation, and the Memorandum on Military and Technical Cooperation.

Both accords have been extended for an additional five years, running until October 2028 and July 2028, respectively.

Ambassador Kemarskiy presented an Action Plan to operationalise the MoU on Basic Principles, which covers collaboration in politics, trade, security, technology, economic relations, humanitarian initiatives, scientific exchange, and cultural cooperation.

Magosi welcomed the plan, describing it as a step forward in strengthening ties between Russia and the SADC Secretariat, as well as with individual member states.

Magosi also reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to implementing the Military Cooperation Memorandum through a roadmap that includes capacity building, medical support for the SADC Standby Force, and development of the Regional Logistics Depot.

Kemarskiy expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership and conveyed an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin for SADC to attend the 3rd Africa-Russia Summit later this year.

The summit aims to elevate Africa-Russia relations to a new level of mutually beneficial cooperation