At the invitation of the Russian government, the defence ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger held consultations in Moscow on Thursday, August 14, focusing on strengthening security cooperation with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The talks built on talks launched on May 11 during the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazism.
Malian Defence Minister, General Sadio Camara, joined by his counterparts from Burkina Faso and Niger, undertook the working visit to Moscow at the invitation of Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov.
According to the Malian side, the aim was to reinforce the strategic partnership between Russia and the AES to address pressing security challenges. A working session was held to consolidate military cooperation in line with the shared vision of Presidents Vladimir Putin, Assimi Goïta (AES President), Abdourahamane Tiani and Ibrahim Traoré.
The Russian Defence Ministry described the consultations as the first of their kind between the Russian Federation and AES member states. Minister Belousov noted that the AES had recently marked its first anniversary in July, underscoring the ongoing threat from terrorist groups and other illegal armed actors in the region.
He reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to provide comprehensive support to ensure stability, strengthen security, and safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of AES states, presenting the quadrilateral dialogue as a key framework for expanding defence cooperation.
At the conclusion of the talks, the parties signed a joint declaration along with a memorandum of understanding between the Russian Defence Ministry and the AES.
The August 14 meeting followed earlier exchanges on May 11 in Moscow, held during the anniversary celebrations of the Soviet victory over Nazism. On that occasion, Minister Belousov held separate talks with each Sahelian delegation.
In his meeting with Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Modi, Belousov welcomed his presence at the commemorations, calling the victory over fascism a “shared celebration” and voicing his commitment to “dynamically expanding the full spectrum of military cooperation” with Niamey.
He described the AES as “the expression of the will of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to build a new regional security architecture” and to pursue “an independent foreign policy grounded in their national interests.”
In talks with Mali’s Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister, General Sadio Camara, the Russian minister stressed the importance of bolstering strategic cooperation. Camara conveyed President Assimi Goïta’s congratulations on the anniversary, noting that “without the sacrifice of the Soviet Union, the world would be different today.”
He also expressed Mali’s support for Russia’s “special military operation,” stating that “the bravery of Russian soldiers will always remain a source of inspiration.”
During his meeting with Burkina Faso’s Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister, General Celestin Simpone, Belousov described Burkina Faso as a “close friend and ally,” reiterating Moscow’s commitment to “enhancing the combat capabilities of its army” under their military cooperation agreement.
Simpone thanked Russia for the invitation, highlighting the “bonds of friendship and brotherhood” between the two nations.
The May 11 and August 14 engagements reflect, according to official statements, an intensification of military exchanges between Russia and the AES against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in the Sahel region.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA