Russia-Africa Partnership Forum's Ministerial Conference further ensures a strong partnership between Russia and African countries, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at the Cabinet Office of Zambia Patrick Mwalula Mucheleka told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the conference.
"It's very important that African countries are here in Russia to further ensure that there's a strong partnership between Russia and the countries from Africa," he said.
African countries participated in the Russia-Africa Summit in 2023 and have since made progress on several fronts. Most of them are back for the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum's Ministerial Conference to see the progress made, the official noted.
"A lot of things have happened, a lot of progress has been made, but also quite a number of challenges as we may discuss as we go on," he said.
Any step addressing the security threat to Africa and defending its countries' sovereignty is welcome, the speaker emphasized.
Zambia stands for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, an official added.
"We have always desired, as African countries, a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," Mucheleka explained.
His comments align with the African Peace Initiative, introduced in June 2023, when representatives from seven African countries, led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Kiev and Saint Petersburg. The peace proposal included calls for conflict de-escalation, diplomatic negotiations, respect for state sovereignty, prisoner exchanges, and post-war reconstruction.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that Ukraine had previously withdrawn from negotiations despite a peace agreement being initialed in Istanbul, as shown to African leaders.
This cooperation between Russia and Africa includes assistance to Zambia and other developing countries in SADC, he emphasized.