Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique to the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

On 23 July 2025, Her Excellency Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique, gave a lecture at the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the topic: ‘50 Years of Mozambique's Independence and Cooperation with the Russian Federation.’ The event was part of the official programme of the Mozambican delegation's visit to Russia and was timed to coincide with significant dates: the 50th anniversary of the country's independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mozambique and the Russian Federation. The audience included representatives of diplomatic missions, the scientific community, and Mozambican students studying at Russian universities.

Irina Olegovna Abramova, Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Economics, Professor, and Alexei Mikhailovich Vasilyev, Honorary President of the Institute, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences, delivered welcoming speeches. Both speakers emphasised the historical significance of the anniversary and the unwavering support that the Soviet Union and subsequently Russia provided to Mozambique in its struggle for independence, post-war reconstruction and overcoming contemporary challenges.

In her speech, Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas expressed her gratitude to the ‘renowned Institute’ for the invitation and highly appreciated the scientific organisation's contribution to research on the African continent. She emphasised that Mozambique's history is inextricably linked to Russia: from assistance during the armed struggle for independence to support in the fields of education, security and the economy in the post-colonial period.

The minister spoke in detail about the stages of Mozambique's independence: gaining sovereignty in 1975, the subsequent years of internal conflict, the reforms of 1987–1994, the transition to a multi-party system, and the development of the country's economic potential, including the discovery of significant natural gas reserves.

The speech focused on contemporary challenges, such as climate change, terrorism, and internal social tensions. Ms. Lukash noted that Mozambique had been hit by three devastating cyclones in 2025 and that, in these difficult times, the country once again felt Russia's support. She also mentioned the elections held in January and the arrival of a new president who, according to the minister, is aware of his responsibility to society, especially to young people. Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucash emphasised that today Mozambique has entered a new difficult stage in the construction of a sovereign and independent state. In this process, the Russian Federation continues to act as a key partner of the country.

Ms Lucas emphasised the importance of education, noting that many Mozambican students study at Russian universities. She noted that during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, he stated that it is very important for Russia that young Mozambican talents receive an education in our country and later work in their chosen profession for the benefit of Mozambique.

The minister also spoke about the active role of Mozambican women in the country's governance. According to her, today they occupy about 35% of seats in parliament, as well as a number of important government posts.In conclusion, Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas expressed her hope for further strengthening of Russian-Mozambican cooperation and announced plans for a visit by the President of the Republic of Mozambique to Russia in the near future.

After the minister's speech, Andrei Tokarev, PhD in Historical sciences, senior researcher at the Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa, took the floor. He presented a report on the history of Russian-Mozambican cooperation based on unique archival materials, including photographs and books reflecting the development of relations between the two countries. In the final part of his speech, he noted that we must not forget the Soviet citizens who died helping Mozambique in its struggle for liberation.

Concluding the event, Irina Olegovna Abramova thanked the minister for his insightful and informative speech and emphasised the importance of educational and cultural ties between countries. She noted that interest in Mozambique, as well as Africa as a whole, continues to grow, and expressed confidence in the further development of multifaceted cooperation.