Russia Vows Continued Military Support for Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali

Russia has pledged to maintain its military backing for the junta-led governments of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, the three countries announced on Wednesday following a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Niger’s capital, Niamey.

In a joint statement issued after a high-level meeting between Lavrov and the foreign ministers of the three Sahel nations, Moscow said it would continue its support for strengthening the operational capacities of the Alliance of Sahel States member armed forces. The meeting followed a similar format gathering held in Moscow in April 2025, signalling a deepening partnership between Russia and the breakaway regional alliance that has increasingly strained ties with Western powers.

The three Sahel countries are ruled by military regimes that seized power through a series of coups between 2020 and 2023. Since taking control, they have turned their backs on former colonial power France and drawn significantly closer to Russia. Russia and its Africa Corps paramilitaries are actively helping the AES countries combat jihadist groups that have killed tens of thousands of people across the region.

Beyond military cooperation, Moscow is also pursuing closer ties with the AES countries in the energy and mining sectors, according to the joint statement. The development comes as the three Sahel nations continue to distance themselves from Western influence while consolidating their alliance with Russia.

About The Author

West Africa Weekly

author

See author's posts