Sahel bloc ministers headed to Moscow to strengthen ties amid regional security challenges

The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic partnership with Russia, marking a significant shift in the region’s diplomatic and security landscape.
The visit, scheduled for 3-4 April, represents the first-ever AES-Russia consultations following the establishment of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) in 2024. These three West African nations, all governed by military juntas after a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, have distanced themselves from former colonial power France and regional body ECOWAS, pivoting instead towards Russia for military and political support. This realignment is largely driven by ongoing jihadist insurgencies that have claimed thousands of lives across the Sahel. The AES described the upcoming visit as an “important step” in advancing strategic cooperation under the bloc’s Year 1 Roadmap, currently chaired by Mali.
The AES ministers are expected to meet with their Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss enhanced cooperation in areas including security, defense, and economic development. Russia has already provided military assistance through its Wagner Group, and the three Sahel states have signed defense agreements with Moscow. They are also collaborating on energy and mining projects. The visit comes after the AES withdrew from multiple international organizations and announced a joint 5,000-strong military force to combat regional terrorism. By engaging with Russia, the Sahel nations aim to bolster their security efforts and assert greater independence from Western influence while strengthening ties with a key global power.