Sierra Leone’s mines minister says Moscow respects African sovereignty
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierra Loaded
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines, Julius Mattai, says Russia respects African countries’ political sovereignty and does not interfere in their domestic affairs. Interviewed by Sputnik during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, he also mentions talks on a possible bauxite mining licence for Russian company RUSAL in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Mattai, says Russia does not interfere in the domestic political affairs of African countries and that its relations with the continent are based on respect for national sovereignty. He spoke in an interview with Russian news agency Sputnik during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.
Julius Mattai said Sierra Leone was seeking a mutually beneficial partnership with Russia to support its development. In the mining sector, he said Freetown wanted agreements that prioritised local communities and took environmental risks into account, while Russian company RUSAL was discussing a possible bauxite mining licence in Sierra Leone.
Russia currently operates no mining sites in the country, but its oil company LUKOIL has previously conducted offshore exploration there. Moscow appointed Andrey Stolyarov as ambassador to Sierra Leone in October 2025, according to Sputnik.
The statement follows Sierra Leone’s request for Russian expertise to process its minerals, made on 30 October. Sierra Leone seeks Russian expertise to process its minerals.
