Niamey: The ministers in charge of diplomacy and international relations of the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), namely Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, along with the Russian Federation, commended the quality of their cooperation during a meeting in Niamey. This collaboration is primarily focused on security partnerships and combating terrorism in the Sahel region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the discussions took place during the second session of consultations between the foreign ministers, held in Niamey, Niger's capital. Yaou Sangar©, Niger's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, highlighted the strategic partnership existing between AES and Russia, emphasizing the significance of their shared commitment towards a fairer global order.
Minister Sangar© articulated the importance of peace, security, development, and respect for sovereignty. He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity to assess the progress of decisions made during previous consultations and to plan future actions to bolster the strategic partnership.
The Nigerien official described the results of their cooperation as satisfactory, particularly in military areas, with several agreements signed to strengthen defense capabilities against terrorism. The meeting also served as a platform to discuss future empowerment of defense and security forces and the development of natural resources.
The Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traor©, praised the operational consultation plan and other instruments as effective tools for guiding diplomatic actions. He stressed that the partnership's quality is measured by its ability to produce tangible results that improve lives in the region.
Abdoulaye Diop from Mali emphasized that, despite international pressure and biased narratives, Russia has maintained a pragmatic view of the Sahel situation. He highlighted the partnership's extension beyond security cooperation into economic and commercial development.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed optimism that these consultations would bolster integration processes and security objectives. He reinforced the shared aim of establishing a just multipolar world order and combating neo-colonialist practices.
The cooperation between Russia and the AES is rooted in strategic, security, and diplomatic partnerships, facilitated through regular high-level consultations. This second session in Niamey underscored their commitment to enhancing the sovereignty and diplomatic relations of Sahelian countries.