Russia will continue its military support for the Sahel states. According to AFP, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said this today after talks in Niamey with his counterparts from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
In Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, military regimes that came to power after coups between 2020 and 2023 are in charge. The three countries have turned away from former colonial power France, established cooperation with Russia, and formed the Alliance of Sahel States.
The meeting "confirmed the common will to continue strengthening cooperation in the political, diplomatic, security, economic, and social spheres," according to a joint statement by Lavrov and his counterparts from the three Alliance of Sahel States.
According to him, Russia "confirmed its will to continue supporting the strengthening of the operational capabilities of the armed forces of the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States."
Russia and its former private mercenary Wagner Group, now integrated into the Africa Corps grouping, help the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States in the fight against jihadist and other groups.
Moscow has also concluded defense agreements with all three countries and supplied them with military equipment. Russia also cooperates with the Alliance of Sahel States in areas such as energy and mining of mineral resources.
Lavrov's visit took place at a time of deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region, especially in Mali, where fighting between government forces supported by Russia and jihadist and separatist groups has intensified in recent days.
