Russia's Lavrov announces military aid to Sahel as he accuses Kyiv of supporting terrorism in Africa

Record ID: 1988004

  • Title: Russia's Lavrov announces military aid to Sahel as he accuses Kyiv of supporting terrorism in Africa
  • Date: 3rd April 2025
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (APRIL 3, 2025) (REUTERSl) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV AND DELEGATES FROM ALLIANCE OF SAHEL STATES ENTERING HALL FOR TALKS DELEGATES TAKING SEATS LAVROV SPEAKING BURKINA FASO FOREIGN MINISTER JEAN-MARIE TRAORE (SECOND FROM LEFT) LISTENING NIGER DELEGATION LAVROV SPEAKING MALI FOREIGN MINISTER ABDOULAYE DIOP (SEEN FROM BEHIND) SPEAKING AS RUSSIAN D
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Africa Alliance Burkina Faso Lavrov Mali Niger Russia Sahel
  • Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001395903042025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Russia will help to build, train, and equip the joint armed forces of the Alliance of Sahel States (or Alliance des Etats du Sahel in French, AES), Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks in Moscow on Thursday (April 3) with his counterparts from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
    Abdoulaye Diop, Jean-Marie Traoré and Bakary Yaou Sangare visit Russian on Lavrov's invitation.
    The West African nations, run by juntas that have taken power in coups in recent years, have formed an alliance known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). The grouping kicked out French and other Western forces and turned towards Russia for military support.
    The three countries' armies are fighting a jihadist insurgency that has spread across the region south of the Sahara since it first took root in Mali 13 years ago.
    Speaking at a news conference after talks with his counterparts from Alliance of Sahel States, Lavrov accused "Kyiv regime" of "open support" of terrorist groups "in this part of Africa."
    Russia maintains its military presence in West Africa with both regular service personnel and mercenaries from Africa Corps, a successor of infamous Wagner Group Private Military Company.
    Moscow also promised the AES economic aid in form of energy and minings projects.
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