Sahel Ministers Strengthen Ties with Russia Amidst Shift from Western Alliances
Foreign ministers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are in Moscow for discussions, marking the first official engagement with Russia after abandoning relations with France. This meeting aims to enhance collaboration in political, defense, and development areas, as countries led by military juntas seek Russian support against jihadist threats. Defense agreements and partnerships in energy and mining projects have also emerged from this new alignment.
The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have convened in Moscow for their inaugural official discussions with Russian representatives. This meeting aims to fortify ties with Russia following the severance of relations with France and its allies. The talks signify the beginning of consultations between Russia and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), established in 2023 by the aforementioned nations.
These nations are currently governed by military juntas that have taken power through coups occurring from 2020 to 2023, which have led them to expel French military forces and withdraw from the regional bloc Ecowas. Instead, they are now seeking political and military support from Russia. The ministers are in Moscow from Thursday to Friday, invited by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
According to a joint statement shared on Facebook, this meeting underscores the collective aspiration of both the AES and Russia to strengthen their partnership and prioritize political dialogue within their diplomatic, developmental, and defense agendas. The statement emphasizes, “This meeting is part of the common will of our heads of state and the Russian Federation to strengthen our political dialogue and cooperation in diplomacy, development and defence.”
Russia has already established defense agreements with the AES nations, providing military training and arms. Additionally, mercenaries from the Wagner group, now known as the Africa Corps, are active in this region, assisting in the fight against persistent jihadist insurgencies. The foreign ministers characterized the talks as a crucial step toward fostering strategic and pragmatic cooperation across shared interests.
The Sahel continues to face challenges from jihadist groups, with conflict in Mali expanding to adjacent countries, leading to significant displacement. Beyond defense, Russia is collaborating with the AES on multiple energy and mining initiatives. A regional investment bank was established in March with intentions to secure partnerships and financing from Moscow to further its development strategy.
In conclusion, the recent discussions between the foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in Moscow represent a significant shift in geopolitical alignments in the Sahel region. This engagement with Russia signifies a departure from traditional Western alliances in favor of forging stronger ties to support political dialogue, defense, and development within the AES framework. The ongoing collaboration on various projects, particularly in defense and resource management, highlights the evolving dynamics of international relations in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
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