The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to visit Moscow this week for their first official talks with Russia as part of their newly established confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The three West African nations, all led by military juntas that seized power between 2020 and 2023, have distanced themselves from former colonial power France and pivoted towards stronger ties with Russia.
Earlier this year, they withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing the regional bloc of being under French influence. Initially formed as a defence alliance in 2023, the AES is now working towards deeper political and economic integration.
According to a statement from Mali’s foreign ministry, which currently holds the presidency of the confederation, the three ministers will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday and Friday.
“This meeting is part of the shared desire of the heads of state of the AES confederation and the Russian Federation to extend their partnership and their political dialogue at the confederal level and to place them at the heart of their diplomatic, development, and defence agenda,” the statement read.
Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, now operating under the name Africa Corps, have been assisting Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in their fight against jihadist insurgents. These conflicts have claimed tens of thousands of lives across the region.
Beyond security cooperation, Moscow has signed defence agreements with the three Sahelian states and has provided them with military equipment. Russia also collaborates with the AES on energy and mining projects, deepening its influence in the region.
The Moscow talks are expected to pave the way for expanded cooperation across multiple sectors, solidifying the growing alliance between Russia and the AES nations.
