Towards enhanced cooperation between the Russian Federation and ECCAS

Libreville, Gabonese Republic, 18 March 2026– The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Gabonese Republic and Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), His Excellency Mr.Dmitrie KOREPANOVreceived in audience the Chairman of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), His ExcellencyAmbassador Ezekiel Nibigira.

The Russian diplomat extended his warm congratulations to the Chairman of the ECCAS Commission on his appointment as head of the Commission, by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECCAS on 12 September 2025 and by the entire leadership since the beginning of March.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the ECCAS Commission thanked his Excellency Mr. Ambassador of the Russian Federation for his interest in the ECCAS Commission and in particular for his

Availability. It welcomed the excellent cooperation between ECCAS and the Russian Federation in the field of

Crossing among others, accreditation,26 July 2024, by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to ECCAS in Gabon, the seat of ECCAS, but also by the accreditation in Moscow of the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of all ECCAS member States, demonstrating the excellence of the relations between its member States and the Russian Federation.

LAmbassadorDoctor Ezekiel Nibigiraexpressed the hope that the strengthening of cooperation between the ECCAS Commission and the Russian Federation would become an instrument at the service of the Central African States and regional integration in particular.

He then pleaded to remind his host that the ECCAS zone has enormous potential which makes it an excellent space for Russian investment. ECCAS is committed to implementing its economic and social integration project through six priority areas: political integration, peace and security; economic and financial integration; Regional Physical Integration; Environmental Integration, Agriculture and Rural Development; Social Integration and Human Development; and the continuation of the reform, he hammered.

The Chairman of the ECCAS Commission stressed the role that the Russian Federation could play in supporting the defence and development strategies of the Central African States, for the invaluable investment in the development of the human capital of Central Africa, which is why, since the end of its institutional reform, ECCAS aims to accelerate the process of integration through strong partnerships adapted to its new development challenges.

The two interlocutors reviewed cooperation between the Russian Federation and ECCAS. They welcomed the existence of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2023, on the sidelines of the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, which constitutes the overall framework for action by the two institutional entities. As a reminder, the Mou has identified many areas of cooperation, including political cooperation, security cooperation, economic cooperation, agriculture and food security, fisheries and aquaculture, the energy sector, water resource management, the infrastructure sector in this case transport and ICT, education and secondary education, science and innovation, health and pandemic management, youth and culture.

In order to implement the above-mentioned lines of cooperation, the two diplomats instructed their staff present at the hearing to review the action plan. This is Mr. Political Adviser to the President of the ECCAS Commission, Mr.Abraham Roch OKOKO TESTand the Director of Cooperation and Resource Mobilization Ms.Rachel MBAKO DFOCKO DFONDOon behalf of the Commission of ECCAS andMaxime,Protocol and Cooperation at the Embassy of the Russian Federation

The Chairman of the ECCAS Commission welcomed Mr.Dmitrie KOREPANOVIn his view, it was an opportunity to deepen cooperation between the Russian Federation and ECCAS.

SirDmitrie KOREPANOVheld various diplomatic functions in Africa. Since 1982He was appointed to various positions in the representations of the USSR/Russian Federation in Algeria (1984-1988), Senegal (1996-1999), Mali (2001-2006), the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2008 to 2012, the Republic of Zimbabwe from 2015 to 2019 and as Deputy Director of the African Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; from 2020 to 2024.

On 16 January 2024 he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Gabonese Republic.

The Russian ambassador who has been working in Africa for some 40 years hopes to use this professional longevity to strengthen cooperation between Russia and Central Africa. He finally hoped that peace would prevail in Central Africa.

AmbassadorDmitrie KOREPANOVgraduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO, 1982). He is married and father of a son and daughter. Besides the Russian language, He speaks French and English.