Cape Verde Re-engages with Moscow for Russia-Africa Summit
Cape Verde has announced its participation in the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow this week, signaling a significant shift in the archipelago’s diplomatic strategy. The move marks a departure from its 2023 boycott, which was staged to protest the invasion of Ukraine.
A Pivot Toward ‘Active Neutrality’
In a statement released Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communities confirmed that Cape Verde is “open to finding the best way to implement a new cooperation program with the Russian Federation.” The government now frames its involvement as a matter of “pragmatism and active neutrality,” viewing the summit as a vital strategic space for multilateral dialogue.
This policy shift follows a change in government last June. The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) returned to power after 10 years of governance by the Movement for Democracy (MpD), bringing a fresh perspective to the nation’s international relations.
Balancing Diplomacy and Sovereignty
Despite re-engaging with Moscow, the Ministry emphasized that Cape Verde remains committed to “the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and the defense of the territorial integrity of States.” The government insisted that its presence at the summit—represented by Ambassador Domingos Mascarenhas, the permanent representative to the African Union—is consistent with its long-standing defense of the United Nations Charter.
The ministry also highlighted historical ties, noting that cooperation with Russia dates back to the Soviet Union’s support for Cape Verde’s independence movement and decades of collaboration in human resource training.
A Reversal of the 2023 Boycott
The decision to attend represents a stark contrast to the country’s stance just a year ago. In July 2023, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva explicitly justified skipping the summit to avoid any perception of supporting the invasion of Ukraine. At that time, President José Maria Neves characterized the absence as a “sign of protest” against the war.
Cape Verde has historically been a vocal critic of the conflict. In early 2025, the country was among the 93 nations at the UN General Assembly that voted for a resolution demanding an end to hostilities and reaffirming Ukraine’s sovereignty. The Prime Minister also attended the Peace Conference in Switzerland last year to advocate for international law.
By attending the Moscow summit now, Cape Verde appears to be attempting a delicate balancing act: maintaining its principled stance on international law while ensuring it is not left out of the evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics between Russia and the African continent.
Image: Pexels – Plato Terentev
