Russia has pledged to continue strengthening military cooperation with the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, reinforcing its growing influence in the Sahel as the three countries deepen their strategic partnership with Moscow. The commitment was announced in a joint statement issued during a visit to Niamey by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, where he held high-level talks with the foreign ministers of the three members of the Alliance of Sahel States. The statement said Russia would continue supporting efforts to strengthen the operational capabilities of the armed forces of the Alliance of Sahel States, which was formed by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Lavrov’s visit follows a similar ministerial meeting held in Moscow in April 2025 and underscores Russia’s expanding diplomatic, military and economic engagement in the region. The three Sahel nations have been governed by military juntas since a series of coups between 2020 and 2023. Since taking power, they have significantly reduced cooperation with former colonial power France and other Western partners while forging closer security and political ties with Russia. Russian military advisers and the state-backed Africa Corps have been supporting the three governments in their fight against Islamist insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Despite these efforts, the region continues to experience persistent attacks that have claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people. Beyond security cooperation, Moscow is also seeking to expand its footprint in the Sahel through investments in mining, energy and other strategic sectors, reflecting Russia’s broader push to strengthen its influence across Africa.
