A ” strong delegation » Russian team led by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Energy visited Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on November 28 and 29. Objective: to strengthen relations between Moscow and the Sahelian capitals, which recently turned their backs on France.
2 mins
The honeymoon continues between Russia and the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). During his visit, Alexandre Novak continued to emphasize that his country wishes to strengthen partnerships with the various capitals of the Sahelparticularly in the areas of energy and development. Accompanied by representatives of the business world, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Energy also took with him members of Rosatom, a Russian public company specializing in nuclear energy.
“ Today, projects of regional importance aimed at improving the quality of life of populations, in particular access to electricity or the development of transport infrastructure, are actively being implemented. “, declared Alexandre Novak in Niamey this Friday, according to the official Telegram page of the Russian government cited by AFP.
More Russian paramilitaries in the Sahel?
In addition to the officials and members of the private sector present at this friendship and working visit, the army and the Russian intelligence services were also invited: the Deputy Minister of Defense was present. Defense Younous Bek-Evkourov or even Lieutenant-General Andreï Averianov, member of the military intelligence services.
Because beyond discussions relating to development issues, the pro-Russian site African Initiative reports that discussions with the various defense ministers took place. At the heart of the negotiations: the potential deployment of new Africa Corps paramilitaries, the training of Sahelian armies and the signing of new bilateral agreements in the fight against jihadism.
Ahead of the visit, Moscow had sent a cargo plane loaded with weapons to Niger, as a testimony to “ the intensity and solidity of strategic cooperation between the two countries “. A cargo ship of the same type was also sent to Mali on November 10.
Also readRussian influences in Africa: a system in the process of duplication