Key facts
- Russia and the Sahel states of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso agreed to deepen military cooperation.
- The agreement follows talks in Niamey, Niger, between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his counterparts from the AES.
- Assistance from Russia's paramilitary Africa Corps is included in the strengthened military and military-technical cooperation.
- Russia pledged to continue aiding the armed forces of AES member states and their 'Unified Force'.
- The joint statement alleged, without evidence, that Ukraine and France were involved in regional attacks, which both nations deny.
Russia and the West African nations forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – have committed to enhancing their military cooperation. This agreement comes as jihadist insurgent activity intensifies in the region. The joint statement was released following discussions in Niamey, Niger's capital.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his counterparts from the three military-led countries, all of which have recently shifted their alliances away from Western partners towards Moscow for support. The officials expressed satisfaction with the growing military and military-technical cooperation, which includes aid from Russia's paramilitary Africa Corps. Russia affirmed its commitment to bolstering the armed forces of the AES member states and their collective 'Unified Force'.
Recent attacks by the regional al-Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-led separatist group have underscored the security challenges in the Sahel. In April, such attacks across Mali resulted in the death of the defense minister, and on Saturday, numerous army posts were targeted. The joint statement also included unsubstantiated allegations that external state actors, specifically naming Ukraine and France, were involved in these attacks. Both nations have refuted these claims.