Russia welcomes deployment of joint military force in Sahel
Moscow supports the deployment of a joint force by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to combat terrorism in the Sahel region, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has stated.
The Russian envoy made the statement during a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, which focused on strengthening counter-terrorism in Africa.
“The security situation on the African continent remains dire. We’ve witnessed a further increase in the activity of terrorist and criminal groups. Almost all regions of Africa are under threat,” Nebenzia said in a speech published by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Nebenzia accused foreign states, including Ukraine, of attempting “to subvert peace and security on the continent.” Last July, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger filed a complaint against Kiev at the UNSC after Ukrainian officials allegedly claimed direct involvement in an ambush by Tuareg rebels, which killed dozens of Malian forces and Wagner Group private military personnel.
“The response from the Sahel states was swift – they decisively condemned Ukraine’s support for international terrorism on the continent and severed diplomatic relations with it,” the diplomat said.
He urged the international community and regional organizations to provide “full support” to the three Sahel allies in their fight against terrorist groups.
Earlier, Nigerien Defense Minister Salifou Mody announced that Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou were preparing to deploy a “united force” of 5,000 troops to conflict zones in the Sahel region, which has been embroiled in a long-running jihadist insurgency.
The three West African nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023 after a coup in Niger, and agreed to defend each other against security threats. They have severed defense ties with Western powers, including France – accusing the former colonial power of aggression, and criticizing the failure of French soldiers to quell violence in the Sahel, despite their involvement for over a decade. The Burkinabe, Malian and Nigerien military authorities have sought alternative alliances, including closer security ties with Russia.
On Tuesday, Russia’s UN envoy said Moscow intends to expand its partnership with African states, in line with a declaration on counterterrorism cooperation, adopted at the second Russia-Africa Summit.
Nebenzia went on to criticize former colonial powers for maintaining a military foothold in the region under the guise of fighting terrorism.
“This presence is no longer welcomed by African countries, inter alia because the ineffectiveness of these so-called counter-terrorism operations by Western countries is more than obvious,” he stated.
“When building relations with the countries of the region, Russia is guided by mutual respect,” Nebenzia added.
