Sahel states seek deeper Russian security influence
Goita said Mali has purchased planes and other military equipment from Russia, as well as technical support, which has helped to improve the capacity of the armed forces to defend the country.
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, speaking during the Heads of Regional Organisations at the Russia-Africa Summit Forum in Moscow, on October 28th, 2026. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)
MOSCOW - Sahel states, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, are in Moscow attending the 3rd Russia-Africa summit, where they are seeking deeper Russian security influence amid increased domestic and foreign threats.
Besides the trade talks, the Sahel states are keen to deepen their security ties with Russia, a country that has stood alongside them amid deteriorating relations with Western partners.
While speaking at the summit in Moscow, Malian President Assimi Goita said that since the last summit, the 2nd Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg in 2023, his country has deepened security and defence cooperation with Russia to beat off insurgents backed by foreign interests.
Goita said Mali has purchased planes and other military equipment from Russia, as well as technical support, which has helped to improve the capacity of the armed forces to defend the country.
Goita said for decades the region has been fighting terrorism despite the presence of international forces, a situation that has prohibited the provision of social services like education and health care.
He said amid these challenges, with support from Russia, the capacity of the Malian troops is being built to guarantee the security of the country and its people.
“This dynamic will bring about concrete results for our people, guarantee the return of public services such as education, judicial system and return of economic activities,” Goita said.
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, with African Heads of State during a family photo at the Russia-Africa Summit Forum in Moscow, on October 28, 2026. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)
He noted that the challenges the Sahel is facing require mutual solutions; that is why the three countries formed an alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States.
Goita said under the alliance, the three countries support defence and intelligence coordination between their armed forces. Through the association, they speak with one unified voice and do not accept any colonial influence.
For Burkina Faso, it is ready to cooperate with partners who respect its sovereignty, and Russia is one of those, according to the country’s Minister of Economy and Finance Aboubacar Nacanabo.
Regarding reports of Ukraine bringing its war with Russia to the Sahel, Nacanabo appealed to the international community to act.
CNN in September wrote a report of how Ukrainian specialists were supporting the Tuareg rebels.
“We don’t know why because we are not at war with Ukraine; we just want peace in our area. So if Ukraine is involved in this kind of war in Ukraine with no reason, I think the international community should react and show them it is not right,” Nacanabo said.
He noted that the Russia-Ukraine crisis has affected the globe by impacting prices of fuel, food, fertilisers, among others.
Domingos Dias Pereira Mascarenhas (L), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cabo Verde to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Cabo Verde to the African Union, and Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, at the plenary session of the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on October 29th 2026. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)
Souleymane Anta Ndiaye, an author and West African political commentator, said Africa should stand with the Sahel countries in fighting extremism. Ndiaye argued that Russia's support to the Sahel states provided relief compared to the French and international troops that were in Mali for decades.
"Mali was with France, Mali was with the UN, but they could not do anything; they could not change the situation. But when these soldiers from Russia came, the situation changed," Ndiaye said.
He argued that Ukrainian specialists fighting alongside rebels in Mali show foreign interests in wanting to destabilise the region. He urged African countries to protest against the Ukrainian operatives fighting in the Sahel.
While speaking after the opening of the summit on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia has been and remains interested in seeing African countries defend their sovereignty, develop with confidence and strengthen their economies and social spheres.
Putin said as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia makes a significant contribution to resolving existing conflicts and preventing new ones on the African continent.
"In doing so, we consistently adhere to the fundamental principle you yourselves have proclaimed: African solutions to African problems. Russia is doing a great deal to help African countries maintain domestic stability and security, and to strengthen their defence and law enforcement capabilities," the Russian leader said.
Russia has signed intergovernmental agreements on military and military-technical cooperation with 45 African countries. Military personnel and law enforcement officers from African countries receive training at Russian educational institutions.
In July, Russia and the Sahel states held a high-level ministerial meeting in Niamey, Niger, where Russia recommitted to supporting the operational capacities of the armed forces of the member states and maintaining military and security cooperation.