Strengthening bonds: AES and Russia advance shared diplomatic goals
Niamey, the capital of Niger, played host this past Wednesday, July 8th, to the second round of high-level consultations between foreign ministers of the Sahel Alliance Confederation (AES) and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
The gathering brought together Niger’s Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Mali’s Abdoulaye Diop, and Burkina Faso’s Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, who collectively examined fresh avenues for collaboration between the four partner nations.
Mali’s Diop emphasized during the talks the «satisfaction with the regular and productive AES-Russia exchanges that have yielded substantial outcomes—spanning military cooperation as well as economic and trade development, all underpinned by a shared diplomatic vision.»
Regarding regional counterterrorism efforts, the AES ministers underscored the «urgent need to escalate military cooperation initiatives aimed at bolstering the unified operational capacities of the AES Confederation Force.» They also reiterated the importance of «strengthening economic partnerships to implement the Year II Roadmap of the Confederation.»
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, addressing the assembly in Niamey, reaffirmed Russia’s «commitment to deepening mutually advantageous ties with the AES Confederation,» while reasserting Moscow’s solidarity and support «not only in securing the confederation’s shared space but also in advancing sustainable development to improve living conditions for affected populations.»
This session follows the initial AES-Russia consultation held in April 2025 in Moscow, aligning with the current phase of the Russian foreign minister’s extended African diplomatic tour.
