Le Monde.fr

Client Challenge

Russia is main partner against terrorism – Niger — RT Africa

Metaculus

Will the following countries experience a civil war before 2036?

visegrad24

sputnik_africa

IntelliNews

Russia Plans Africa Summit In October As Moscow Deepens Sahel Ties 444171

TASS

Lavrov extends Putins invitation to Sahel leaders to attend Russia-Africa summit

Facebook

The United States is making a surprise return to Niger, signalling a major geopolitical shift in the Sahel. Washington has delivered more than $2.3 million worth of military equipment to Niger's armed

The Washington Examiner

How great power competition in the Central Sahel helped al Qaeda

Breitbart

New fighting in Malis Kidal between army and rebels

Russia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2124865

The Conversation

The Sahel region is less secure than ever: foreign forces just add to the cycle of violence

Africa Defense Forum

Russias Shadowy Air Wagner Uses African Air Bases to Skirt Sanctions

Africa Center

Russias New Frontier in Africa

Anadolu Agency

Russia aims to expand cooperation with Sahel states alliance: Lavrov

Business Insider

Inside the Sahel power race: Russia counters U.S.' $2.3 million Niger security package with major arms shipment to Mali

Russian foreign minister arrives in Mozambique as part of tour of African countries

Channel Africa

Sahel Alliance uses Russia meeting to defy AU pressure: Expert  Channel Africa

The Whistler

Mali, Niger Accuse Neighbours, France Of Backing Terrorism

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/lavrov-visits-ethiopia-eyes-wider-africa-reach">On the second leg of his Africa tour</a>, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Niger on Wednesday for the second ministerial consultations between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which brings together the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Sputnik Africa

On the second leg of his Africa tour, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Niger on Wednesday for the second ministerial consultations between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which brings together the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

In a joint statement, Russia and the AES said Moscow would continue to bolster the "operational capacities" of AES member states' armed forces. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/lavrov-au-deepen-ties-ahead-of-russiaafrica-summit">Lavrov said the third Russia-Africa Summit</a> is expected to take place in Moscow in October, though an official date has yet to be confirmed.

In a joint statement, Russia and the AES said Moscow would continue to bolster the "operational capacities" of AES member states' armed forces. Lavrov said the third Russia-Africa Summit is expected to take place in Moscow in October, though an official date has yet to be confirmed.

Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to the gathering in Moscow, adding that its agenda would focus on trade, investment and economic cooperation, with ministers and business leaders expected to attend.

Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to the gathering in Moscow, adding that its agenda would focus on trade, investment and economic cooperation, with ministers and business leaders expected to attend.

Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare said Russia remains the AES's "main partner" in combating terrorism, adding that defense accords with Moscow had strengthened the capabilities of AES armed forces. Sangare earlier accused France of "fuelling, financing and sustaining terrorism" in Niger.

Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare said Russia remains the AES's "main partner" in combating terrorism, adding that defense accords with Moscow had strengthened the capabilities of AES armed forces. Sangare earlier accused France of "fuelling, financing and sustaining terrorism" in Niger.

Lavrov's visit to Niger comes as a Russian Navy Ropucha-class amphibious landing ship escorts a cargo vessel carrying weapons and ammunition to Mali, while the U.S. has announced a $2.3 million security package for Niger to bolster border security and counterterrorism efforts.

Firstpost

Lavrov's visit to Niger comes as a Russian Navy Ropucha-class amphibious landing ship escorts a cargo vessel carrying weapons and ammunition to Mali, while the U.S. has announced a $2.3 million security package for Niger to bolster border security and counterterrorism efforts.

Russia's Africa Corps provided air support to Malian forces during coordinated attacks in April 2026, when Tuareg rebels of the Azwad Liberation Front (FLA) and the al-Qaeda-linked Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) launched strikes across Mali, including on the outskirts of Bamako.

Visegrad 24

Russia's Africa Corps provided air support to Malian forces during coordinated attacks in April 2026, when Tuareg rebels of the Azwad Liberation Front (FLA)  and the al-Qaeda-linked Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) launched strikes across Mali, including on the outskirts of Bamako.

Le Monde.fr #

RT #2400

Metaculus #

IntelliNews #

TASS #

Facebook #

The Washington Examiner #

Breitbart #

Russia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs #

The Conversation #

Africa Defense Forum #

Africa Center #

Anadolu Agency #

Business Insider #

Mid #

Channel Africa #

The Whistler #

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Niger on July 8 for the second ministerial consultations between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which groups the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Niger on July 8 for the second ministerial consultations between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which groups the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

In a joint statement, Russia and the AES said Moscow would "continue its support for strengthening the operational capacities of AES member states' armed forces." Lavrov also announced the third Russia-Africa Summit would be held in Moscow in October.

In a joint statement, Russia and the AES said Moscow would "continue its support for strengthening the operational capacities of AES member states' armed forces." Lavrov also announced the third Russia-Africa Summit would be held in Moscow in October.

Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare said Russia remains the AES's "main partner" in combating terrorism, adding that defense accords with Moscow had strengthened the capabilities of AES armed forces.

Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare said Russia remains the AES's "main partner" in combating terrorism, adding that defense accords with Moscow had strengthened the capabilities of AES armed forces.

Russia's Africa Corps provided air support to Malian forces during coordinated attacks in April 2026, when the Azawad Liberation Front and the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM launched strikes across Mali, including on the outskirts of Bamako.

Russia's Africa Corps provided air support to Malian forces during coordinated attacks in April 2026, when the Azawad Liberation Front and the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM launched strikes across Mali, including on the outskirts of Bamako.

A Russian Navy Ropucha-class amphibious landing ship is escorting a cargo vessel carrying weapons and ammunition to Mali, where Africa Corps fighters have been supporting Malian forces against Tuareg separatists and jihadist militants.

A Russian Navy Ropucha-class amphibious landing ship is escorting a cargo vessel carrying weapons and ammunition to Mali, where Africa Corps fighters have been supporting Malian forces against Tuareg separatists and jihadist militants.

Russia's model across the Sahel involves supplying arms and military trainers in exchange for access to natural resources, with similar barter-style agreements signed with roughly 15 African countries. The AES states hold significant reserves of uranium, gold and other minerals.

Russia's model across the Sahel involves supplying arms and military trainers in exchange for access to natural resources, with similar barter-style agreements signed with roughly 15 African countries. The AES states hold significant reserves of uranium, gold and other minerals.

Russia's military partnership with the Sahel juntas has been a catastrophic failure — jihadist groups now threaten the capitals of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and Africa Corps forces have shifted from fighting insurgents to protecting gold mines and regime assets. Russian tactics that worked in Chechnya simply don't scale to nations twice the size of Texas with underfunded militaries. The juntas traded effective Western and UN forces for a handful of Russian advisers, and the region is paying the price in blood.

Russia's military partnership with the Sahel juntas has been a catastrophic failure — jihadist groups now threaten the capitals of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and Africa Corps forces have shifted from fighting insurgents to protecting gold mines and regime assets. Russian tactics that worked in Chechnya simply don't scale to nations twice the size of Texas with underfunded militaries. The juntas traded effective Western and UN forces for a handful of Russian advisers, and the region is paying the price in blood.

Russia has become the AES's most reliable security partner, delivering weapons, military advisers and air support that helped Malian forces defend Bamako's presidential palace in April. Moscow is deepening ties across defense, energy and mining — offering barter deals, military training and embassy presence that Western powers never matched. The AES nations are building genuine sovereignty through a multipolar framework, and Russia's sustained commitment proves this partnership delivers real results.

Russia has become the AES's most reliable security partner, delivering weapons, military advisers and air support that helped Malian forces defend Bamako's presidential palace in April. Moscow is deepening ties across defense, energy and mining — offering barter deals, military training and embassy presence that Western powers never matched. The AES nations are building genuine sovereignty through a multipolar framework, and Russia's sustained commitment proves this partnership delivers real results.

West Africa: Coups, Jihadism and Geopolitical Competition

Russia to continue providing military support to junta-led governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger

Russia

Niger

Africa

Politics

Russia has become the AES's key security partner, providing weapons, military advisers and air support that helped Malian forces defend Bamako's presidential palace in April. Moscow is expanding ties across defense, energy and mining through barter deals, military training and a diplomatic presence Western powers never matched. The AES states are building greater sovereignty through a multipolar framework, and Russia's sustained commitment is delivering results.

Russia has become the AES's key security partner, providing weapons, military advisers and air support that helped Malian forces defend Bamako's presidential palace in April. Moscow is expanding ties across defense, energy and mining through barter deals, military training and a diplomatic presence Western powers never matched. The AES states are building greater sovereignty through a multipolar framework, and Russia's sustained commitment is delivering results.

Russia's military partnership with the Sahel juntas has been a catastrophic failure — jihadist groups now threaten the capitals of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, while Africa Corps guards gold mines and regime assets instead of fighting insurgents. Russian tactics that worked in Chechnya don't scale to vast countries with underfunded militaries. The juntas traded Western and U.N. forces for Russian advisers, and the region is paying the price in blood.

Russia's military partnership with the Sahel juntas has been a catastrophic failure — jihadist groups now threaten the capitals of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, while Africa Corps guards gold mines and regime assets instead of fighting insurgents. Russian tactics that worked in Chechnya don't scale to vast countries with underfunded militaries. The juntas traded Western and U.N. forces for Russian advisers, and the region is paying the price in blood.

There is a 66% chance that Niger will experience a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 66% chance that Niger will experience a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Lavrov Visits Niger as Russia Deepens AES Alliance

RussiaLavrov toVisits continueNiger providingas militaryRussia supportDeepens toAES junta-led governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and NigerAlliance

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Go Deeper