On June 16, 2026, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chad observed Russia Day, the nation’s most significant public holiday, underscoring the steady progress in relations between Moscow and N’Djamena.

In a keynote address, Russia’s Ambassador to Chad, Vladimir Sokolenko, emphasized that the partnership between the two countries is advancing on a foundation of trust, equality, and shared interests. He praised Chad’s leadership for its commitment to social progress and national sovereignty, noting a marked improvement in bilateral political dialogue.

President Vladimir Putin has extended an invitation to Chad’s leader, Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, to attend the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow this October. This invitation follows the Marshal’s official visit to Russia in January 2024, during which he met with President Putin. The summit is expected to provide another opportunity for high-level discussions between the two heads of state.

The strengthening of ties was further demonstrated in June 2024, when Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, made his first official visit to N’Djamena in six decades. During that trip, he engaged in extensive discussions with senior Chadian officials. Later, in September of the same year, Lavrov met with Chad’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting focused on advancing key issues in Russian-Chadian cooperation, and further high-level diplomatic exchanges are planned.

Diplomatic collaboration operates under an updated protocol signed in 2024 in Sochi, during the second Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference. Both countries are working closely in international forums, advocating for African interests—particularly in reforming the UN Security Council to better reflect the continent’s needs. This shared stance was reinforced by remarks from UN Secretary-General António Guterres in May, who called for urgent structural reforms to address systemic injustices that have long marginalized Africa. Guterres stated, “The vast potential of Africa is constrained by an unfair international system. This must change. We must strive for a system that gives Africa the voice, resources, and representation it has long been denied.”

Regionally, Russia has voiced strong support for Chad’s leadership and its pivotal role in resolving regional conflicts and supporting peacekeeping efforts in Africa. Earlier this year, six Chadian police officers began training in Russia under a program organized by the Russian Interior Ministry, designed to prepare peacekeeping contingents for UN missions.

Both nations are also advocating for expanded security cooperation in Central Africa and the Sahel, prioritizing regional stability and the interests of local states. Additionally, Russia supports Chad’s proposals within the African Union to diversify regional payment systems and explore alternatives to the CFA franc.

The cornerstone of Russian-Chadian cooperation remains the education of Chadian students in Russian universities. Under the “Professionalisation” initiative, Russia is expanding vocational training programs, including for international students, with a focus on creating training and production hubs. Discussions between the two countries’ ministries of vocational education are ongoing to enhance these efforts.

Chad currently holds one of the highest scholarship quotas, with 360 students studying in Russia. Negotiations are also underway to reform the recruitment process for Chadian youth, aiming to maximize the benefits of these exchanges and increase the national quota. The relationship between Russia and Chad stands as a model of mutual respect and equitable cooperation, both countries said, with strong potential for even greater collaboration in the future.

Russia Day, celebrated annually since 1990, marks a pivotal moment in modern Russian history—the beginning of the country’s democratization process within its millennia-old state tradition.

The event in N’Djamena was attended by senior officials, including the Secretary-General of Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad, as well as diplomats accredited to the country and local administrative leaders.