The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chad recently 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, emphasized the consistent and reliable growth of Russo-Chadian relations. He highlighted the traditional friendship and cooperation, which are built upon an equal partnership designed to benefit the citizens of both nations.

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 now characterizes the bilateral political dialogue. Russian President Vladimir Poutine extended an invitation to the Chadian leader, Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, to attend the upcoming Russia-Africa summit in Moscow scheduled for October. This summit is anticipated to facilitate a second bilateral meeting between the two heads of state, following President Déby Itno’s official visit to Moscow in January 2024.

A significant diplomatic milestone occurred in June 2024 when Russian Foreign Minister Sergueï Lavrov visited N’Djaména, marking the first such visit in 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He engaged in discussions with Chadian leadership. Furthermore, last 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 Russo-Chadian cooperation. Plans are underway to ensure these high-level diplomatic contacts continue.

Working-level interactions between the foreign ministries are guided by a protocol on political consultations, which was updated in 2024 in Sotchi during the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership. On the global stage, the diplomatic services of Russia and Chad, leveraging their mutual support, are actively working to ensure that African interests are adequately represented in the ongoing reform efforts of the United Nations Security Council. This reform directly impacts decisions concerning the sovereignty of nation-states. In this context, both Russia and Chad welcomed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s declaration last May, which underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the international system. Guterres specifically noted that “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.” This highlights a shared commitment to a more equitable global governance Africa.

Within the African continent, Russia acknowledges and supports Chad’s significant authority and its crucial role in resolving regional conflicts, as well as its contributions to facilitating peacekeeping missions. This underscores Chad’s growing influence in African politics.

In May, six Chadian police officers were selected to participate in a training program organized by the Russian Interior Ministry. The program focused on “The activities of the United Nations police contingent within the framework of peacekeeping.” Both Russia and Chad are advocating for the establishment of new security mechanisms and expanded cooperation across Central Africa, including the Sahel region, with a strong emphasis on prioritizing the interests of the states in the area.

Russia also backs N’Djaména’s initiatives within the African Union aimed at diversifying regional payment systems and exploring the creation of a new regional currency as an alternative to the CFA franc.

A cornerstone of the cooperation between Russia and Chad remains the training of Chadian personnel in Russian universities.

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in demand for vocational secondary education. Russia is vigorously advancing its “Professionalisation” project, which includes provisions for international students and the establishment of specialized training and production hubs. In line with this, a constructive dialogue has commenced between the ministries responsible for vocational education in both countries.

The Republic of Chad benefits from one of the most generous budgetary quotas, receiving 360 scholarships. Concurrently, bilateral negotiations are focused on reforming the recruitment system for young Chadians seeking to study in Russia, aiming to provide Chad with enhanced advantages and increase its national quota. The robust Russia-Chad cooperation exemplifies mutual respect for each other’s interests, fostering an equal and mutually beneficial partnership for the welfare of both populations. Russia and Chad foresee promising opportunities to further strengthen their enduring friendship and collaboration.

This annual Russia Day celebration has, since 1990, symbolized the dawn of a new period of democratization in Russian history, marking a pivotal stage in the nation’s millennia-long statehood.

The commemorative 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. Also present were numerous diplomatic officials accredited to Chad and various administrative authorities.