Russian President Putin Appoints Andrey Stolyarov as Ambassador to Sierra Leone
Deborah Sorie Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed veteran diplomat Andrey Stolyarov as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The appointment was made official by a presidential decree published by the Russian government on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
Stolyarov, who previously held the rank of Minister-Counselor, brings extensive experience to the role. His most recent position was as Deputy Director of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Africa Department.
The diplomatic move follows Russia’s announcement in December 2024 to reopen its embassy in Freetown, marking a significant step in re-establishing a formal presence in the West African nation.
Stolyarov is expected to lead Moscow’s efforts to deepen bilateral relations with Sierra Leone as Russia continues to expand its diplomatic and economic partnerships across the African continent.