During a two-day visit to Maputo by a leading Russian official, Mozambique and Russia agreed to expand ties.

Both parties signed an agreement in Mozambique’s capital aimed at improving cooperation between the two countries’ legislatures, including information sharing.

Valentina Matviyenko, the head of the Russian Federation Council or Senate, praised Mozambique as a “trustworthy partner” and recalled Moscow’s long-standing assistance for the southern African country.

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She mentioned that this included anything from aid during the independence war against Portuguese colonizers to teaching Mozambicans in Russia.

Because of its invasion of Ukraine in February, Russia has become a pariah on most of the international scene.

However, Mozambique was one of 58 countries that abstained on a UN General Assembly vote on suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council because of the war.

Ms Matviyenko’s trip comes after an October invite from the speaker of the Mozambican parliament, Esperança Bias.

“Your presence is a reflection of co-operation, friendship and mutual respect between our countries. Our relations date back to the time of the armed struggle and these relations remain,” Ms Bias said.

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