Moscow welcomes the establishment of the "Alliance of Sahel States" (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, viewing it as the start of liberation from Western influence, stated Russian Ambassador to Burkina Faso Igor Martynov in an interview with TASS.
“Russia welcomes the creation of a new architecture in West Africa. We see the growing aspiration of the peoples of the African continent, and first of all the Sahel countries, to restore independence, liberation from the Western colonial yoke, and fair development,” Martynov said.
The diplomat emphasized that the unification of these three countries marks the beginning of their liberation from the “oppressive” influence of the West, particularly France. At the Niamey conference, the AES countries agreed on joint actions against terrorist groups, enhancing security, and combating crime and corruption. The alliance is expected to establish a coordinating structure to regulate economic processes and create a common economic space. The AES declaration also mentions the opening of a joint investment bank.
Martynov highlighted Russia's longstanding policy towards African states, which is based on the principles of non-interference, mutual respect, and honest cooperation. “Our tough stance towards Western states displaying neocolonial ambitions has long been known to the African world. Burkinabes see and understand this well,” he added.
Following the AES summit in Niamey on July 6, the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—Ibrahim Traoré, Assimi Goita, and Abdourahamane Tchiani—announced the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States confederation. They decided to establish an investment bank and a stabilization fund, and set goals for coordinating joint foreign policy steps and ensuring the free movement of people and goods. The alliance aims for deeper cooperation and integration in agriculture and food security, water resources and the environment, electricity and mining, industry and trade, infrastructure and transportation, communications, and the digital economy.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso
Based on materials from TASS