Russian and Sahelian defence officials are drawing closer as Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Modi, and his counterparts from Burkina Faso and Mali arrived in Moscow to discuss military cooperation.
Their visit is tied to the growing defence alliance among the three countries, the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS), and their ongoing collaboration with Russia to equip a joint regional force. The meeting is part of broader efforts to equip the region’s Unified Force (FU-AES) amid growing regional security threats.
On Saturday, May 10, General Modi met with Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov to discuss how both nations can deepen their defence relationship. The meeting coincided with Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of its victory in the Great Patriotic War. Belousov welcomed Modi warmly and thanked him for attending the event.
“We are working to dynamically expand the entire range of military cooperation between Russia and Niger. We view the Sahel Alliance as a manifestation of the determination of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to build a new regional security architecture and pursue an independent foreign policy based on national interests and their capabilities,” Belousov stated.
The talks reportedly focused on arming and strengthening the FU-AES, the unified military force of the Sahel bloc, and building capacity in areas like training and logistics. General Modi expressed gratitude for the invitation and appreciated Russia’s attention to the Sahel region.
President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso also held separate engagements in Moscow. The visit is a step toward a more independent and region-driven security framework in one of Africa’s most volatile zones.
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