03.04.2025, Moscow.
Russia will help form and equip the joint armed forces of the Alliance of Sahel States (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced to journalists on April 3.
According to Lavrov, Russia has valuable experience in building such alliances – with Belarus and members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
In addition to direct bilateral cooperation in strengthening the defense capabilities of each of the three countries, Russia is ready to advise the Alliance of Sahel States and organize specialized training programs for establishing joint armed forces, Lavrov noted.
He emphasized that a significant number of Russian military instructors are already working in all three countries, and Russia “certainly” plans to supply military equipment.
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2024 and established the Alliance of Sahel States confederation in July.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
