Russia strengthens ties with Sahel Gvts, accuses Ukraine of “destabilizing” the region

Russia is intensifying its involvement in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, as military governments in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso seek to distance themselves from Western influence.

Following talks with three of his counterparts from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in Moscow on Thursday (3 April), Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of attempting to destabilize the Sahel, echoing similar sentiments from Malian officials who referred to Ukraine as a “terrorist state”. “Some players outside the Sahel continue attempts to destabilize the region. Besides former colonizers, this also includes the recently Kyiv regime, which openly supports terrorist groups in this part of Africa while its Western sponsors turn a blind eye to it,” Lavrov told reporters.

The growing Russian presence in the region is seen as a response to increasing instability caused by jihadist insurgencies and the diminishing influence of former colonial powers. The Kremlin is capitalizing on this volatile environment, providing military aid, including arms and training, with Lavrov stressing Moscow’s readiness to “contribute in every possible way to building the capacity of the joint forces of the Sahel states.” These countries, which signed a mutual defense pact in 2023, are also benefiting from Russian mercenary support through the Wagner Group, now replaced by the Africa Corps. Lavrov confirmed Russia’s commitment to bolstering the combat effectiveness of the Sahel states’ military forces, emphasizing its broader goal to help reshape the region’s security architecture. Additionally, the Sahelian states are looking to Russia for economic collaboration, notably in the form of a regional investment bank and infrastructure development.