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Russia says to continue support for Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali militaries
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Russia says to continue support for Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali militaries

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Russia will continue military support for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, according to a joint statement.
  • The three Sahel nations, led by juntas that seized power via coups, have formed a regional alliance and are strengthening ties with Russia.
  • Moscow's support includes bolstering the armed forces and exploring energy and mining partnerships, as the countries battle jihadist groups.

Russia has pledged to maintain its military support for the junta-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The commitment was announced in a joint statement during a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Niger.

Lavrov's visit to Niamey followed a similar meeting in Moscow in April 2025. The AES countries, all ruled by military regimes that came to power through coups between 2020 and 2023, have increasingly distanced themselves from former colonial power France and drawn closer to Russia.

This deepening relationship involves Russia, along with its Africa Corps paramilitaries, assisting the AES nations in their fight against jihadist groups that have caused widespread casualties. Beyond military aid, Moscow is also pursuing closer cooperation with the AES countries in the energy and mining sectors.

continue its support for strengthening the operational capacities of AES member states’ armed forces

— Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and RussiaIn a joint statement during a visit to Niger by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
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Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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