Niamey, Niger’s capital, played host this past Wednesday, July 8, to the second round of consultations between foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
The gathering brought together Niger’s Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Mali’s Abdoulaye Diop, and Burkina Faso’s Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, marking a pivotal step in aligning diplomatic strategies between the four allied nations.
During discussions, Mali’s Abdoulaye Diop praised the “consistent and productive exchanges” between the AES and Russia, highlighting “significant progress in military cooperation as well as economic and trade development, all underpinned by a shared diplomatic vision.”
The AES ministers underscored the need to step up military cooperation to bolster the operational readiness of the unified AES force. They also emphasized deepening economic partnerships to advance the implementation of the AES Alliance’s Year Two roadmap.
Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial ties with the AES, pledging continued support for both regional security initiatives and sustainable development projects aimed at improving local livelihoods.
Notably, the inaugural AES-Russia consultations were held in April 2025 in Moscow, setting the stage for this follow-up session during Russia’s latest African diplomatic tour.
