Russia, Sahel Alliance Pledge Deeper Military Cooperation

Russia and the West African nations forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have agreed to deepen military cooperation as jihadist insurgent attacks intensify across the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his counterparts from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in Niamey on Wednesday July 8, where all sides agreed to expand defense ties and strengthen joint military capabilities according to The Moscow Times. The talks come after all three countries cut ties with France and other Western partners, becoming increasingly reliant on Moscow.

The authorities welcomed “growing military and military-technical cooperation,” including support from Russia’s paramilitary Africa Corps, according to their joint statement.

Rising insurgent threat

The renewed cooperation comes amid escalating violence linked to the jihadist groups, The Moscow Times reports.

In April, a regional Al-Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-led separatist group launched coordinated attacks across Mali, killing the country’s defense minister. Additional assaults targeted multiple army positions over the weekend.

The Sahel region has seen a steady deterioration in security, with armed groups expanding their reach despite years of international military involvement, prompting the AES countries to increasingly turn to Russia for training and other operational support.

Tensions towards the West deepen

The joint statement of the three countries accused “external state actors,” including Ukraine and France, of alleged involvement in attacks on the region. Both countries denied the claims.

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