What's happened
Russia is enhancing military cooperation with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso amid their shift away from France. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosted a summit in Moscow, where he pledged support for combat training and military supplies to the three countries, which have distanced themselves from Western influence following recent coups.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Shift in Alliances
- Growing Influence: Russia's military presence in Africa is expanding, particularly in the Sahel region, where it is seen as a counterbalance to Western influence, especially from France.
- Military Cooperation: Lavrov's commitment to training and supplying military equipment indicates a long-term strategy to embed Russian influence in these nations.
- Political Context: The juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are leveraging their relationships with Russia to bolster their regimes against perceived threats from both jihadist groups and Western powers.
- Future Implications: This partnership could lead to increased instability in the region, as these countries may become more reliant on Russian military support, potentially escalating conflicts with neighboring states and international actors.
- International Response: The West, particularly Ukraine, has condemned these developments, framing them as a dangerous alliance that undermines regional stability.
What the papers say
According to The Moscow Times, Lavrov emphasized that defense cooperation is intensifying, stating, "our servicemen are actively cooperating with Mali's military and personnel training is being carried out." This reflects a broader strategy to strengthen ties with nations distancing themselves from France. Meanwhile, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop described the relationship with Russia as aligned in their fight against terrorism, asserting, "We consider Ukraine as simply a terrorist state." This sentiment was echoed by Niger's Foreign Minister, who called the summit a "historic event." In contrast, Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed these claims as "baseless," highlighting the tensions between these nations and the West. Bloomberg reported that Lavrov confirmed the use of military instructors already present in these countries, indicating a deepening military collaboration.
How we got here
The Sahel nations have increasingly turned to Russia for military support since military coups between 2020 and 2023. This shift follows their withdrawal from ECOWAS and the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, aiming for closer political and military ties.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of this alliance for regional stability?
- How has the West responded to Russia's involvement in Africa?
- What military support is Russia providing to these countries?
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