Russia, Sahel States Deepen Ties

2025-09-25 08:07:29

(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conducted discussions with his counterparts from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, concentrating on enhancing collaboration and laying the groundwork for the third Russia-Africa Summit, according to Moscow.

The Wednesday meeting, held alongside the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, represented the second round of talks between the foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and Russia, an official statement noted.

In his opening comments, Lavrov emphasized that Moscow and the Sahel nations share interests that go beyond commerce, defense, and cultural engagement, extending to joint work at the UN and other international platforms, including initiatives under the Russia-Africa framework.

“We are now entering the preparatory phase for the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for 2026. We are confident that the countries represented here will exert every effort to ensure its success,” the minister remarked.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have pursued closer ties with Russia within the AES, which was established in September 2023.

The three military-led administrations have severed defense connections with France, blaming the former colonial power for its inability to control the lethal jihadist insurgency ravaging the Sahel.

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