RUSSIA will send additional military supplies and instructors to Burkina Faso to bolster the West African nation’s defence capabilities and fight terrorism. This announcement was made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a visit to Burkina Faso, as reported by Russian state media on Wednesday.
‘From the very first contacts between our countries after President Ibrahim Traoré came to power, we have been very closely engaged in all areas of cooperation, including the development of military and military-technical ties,’ Lavrov stated at a press conference in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. ‘I have no doubt that thanks to this cooperation, the remaining pockets of terrorism on the territory of Burkina Faso will be destroyed.’
Burkina Faso has been under military leadership since a coup in 2022 and has hosted contingents of the Wagner mercenary force. The founder of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a plane crash last August.
Lavrov’s visit to Burkina Faso is part of a broader Russian strategy to deepen ties with African nations amid Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Russia is seeking new trade partners and attempting to rally developing countries behind its vision of a ‘multipolar world’ that is not dominated by the United States and former European colonial powers.
Lavrov emphasised this vision during his visit, noting, ‘Russia is committed to fostering a multipolar world where nations can operate free from the dominance of any single power bloc. Our cooperation with African countries, including Burkina Faso, is a testament to this commitment.’
Russia’s growing security ties with African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—where military leaders have also taken power in coups—are raising concerns among the US and other Western governments.
In related news, the RIA news agency reported that Russian aluminum giant Rusal is in negotiations with the government of Sierra Leone for a bauxite mining concession. Rusal already has significant operations in neighbouring Guinea. Additionally, RIA mentioned that Russia’s top diamond producer, Alrosa, plans to hold talks with Sierra Leone, although further details were not provided.
Sierra Leone’s mining minister, discussing the ongoing negotiations, stated, ‘We are exploring various opportunities with Rusal to enhance our mining sector, which is crucial for our economic growth.’
These developments underscore Russia’s increasing involvement in Africa, both in terms of military cooperation and economic ventures. As Western sanctions continue to pressure Russia, the country is looking to Africa as a key partner in its efforts to expand its global influence.
These initiatives highlight Russia’s strategic pivot towards Africa, aiming to solidify alliances and foster a multipolar global order.
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