Russia has pledged to support the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger by helping them acquire weapons and training for a planned joint force of 5,000 troops, according to a statement released after high-level talks in Moscow.
The three West African nations, each led by juntas that seized power in recent years, have formed the Alliance of Sahel States. The group has distanced itself from Western powers, expelling French and other foreign forces and aligning more closely with Russia, particularly relying on fighters from the Wagner mercenary group. They have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Foreign ministers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow starting Thursday. Following the talks, Russia expressed its “unwavering support” for the new joint force, first announced in January.
The two sides agreed to ease the acquisition of “major and high-performance military equipment” and to provide “appropriate training” for the joint force, with Russia offering the necessary technical assistance. Specific details about the equipment or support were not disclosed.
The Sahel countries are grappling with a rebel insurgency that began in Mali in 2012 and has since spread across the region, killing thousands of civilians and forcing millions to flee their homes.