The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) – comprising Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, have concluded defense agreements with Russia to strengthen their fight against insurgency.
The deal was finalized on Thursday during a high-level meeting in Moscow between the foreign ministers of AES member states and Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.
Both sides welcomed the growing military cooperation, highlighting a renewed effort to combat the persistent insecurity that has plagued the Sahel region for decades.
Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa, particularly in military affairs.
The AES nations, led by transitional governments that came to power through coups, have distanced themselves from France and moved closer to Russia, which has been providing military support, including mercenaries, to help them fight jihadist insurgencies.
This agreement further solidifies the AES-Russia alliance as these countries seek new security partners outside their former colonial ties.
© WAVN