Eritrean leader lands in Russia on Putin's invitation

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has landed in Moscow for a four-day official visit to Russia, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.

The foreign and culture ministers are also on the trip, Information Minister Yemane Meskel says on Twitter.

Eritrea and Russia enjoy cordial relations - and Eritrea is one of the few countries that has voted against UN resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

President Isaias, who recently returned from an official visit to China, has ruled Eritrea since it won independence from neighbouring Ethiopia in 1993.

The country, a one-party state and a highly militarised society, occupies a strategically important area in the Horn of Africa - and has never held a national election.

Mr Isaias was greeted at the airport on his arrival by Russia's deputy foreign minister, Mr Yemane tweeted.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is currently on African tour that started in Kenya on Monday, visited Eritrea in January.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

Photo: @hawelti