African leaders to attend Russia's Victory Day parade
Seven African heads of state are expected to attend Moscow's Victory Day parade on May 9, Izvestia reported on Wednesday. Commemorative events in the Russian capital will mark 80 years since the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Among the invited leaders are Burkina Faso's interim president, Captain Ibrahim Traore, Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie.
South Africa will also be represented at the military parade by Defense Minister Angie Motshekga, whose participation was confirmed by Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola last month.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of five African states – Congo, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau – according to Kremlin officials.
Russian Presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters that talks with Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of the Congo, are scheduled for May 7. The Congolese leader has already flown from Brazzaville to Moscow, the office of the president announced on Tuesday.
Following the parade on May 9, President Putin and visiting foreign dignitaries will lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin wall, before attending a reception at the Kremlin.
Ushakov added that after the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders depart Moscow, President Putin will continue bilateral discussions, including talks with the president of Guinea-Bissau. The Russian president will meet with Egyptian leader el-Sisi to discuss key joint projects such as the El Dabaa nuclear power plant and the Russian industrial zone.
Additional high-level meetings with the leaders of Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso are set for May 10.
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