OUAGADOUGOU — The Sahel states of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, which have been united in a confederation since July 2023, regard Russia as a sincere and reliable partner in their efforts to combat terrorism and secure their sovereignty.

According to Burkina Information Agency, In an interview with RTVI, Alou Boï Diarra, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Republic of Mali, stated that Russia’s approach to African nations is not driven by imperialistic motives but is instead focused on understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by these countries. Diarra emphasized that Russia does not seek to dominate others and is committed to helping the Sahel states manage their own affairs.

Diarra also highlighted the deep historical, social, cultural, and political connections between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. He noted that these nations share a common perspective on the geopolitical landscape, their sovereignty, and their desire for self-governance. The confederation was formed in response to shared threats, particularly terrorism.

In early July, the three countries ratified their alliance during the first summit of the “Confederation of Sahel States” in Niamey. This followed the signing of a charter in September 2023, aimed at creating a collective defense organization to address security challenges in the Sahel region. The confederation subsequently withdrew from ECOWAS, citing the organization’s alignment with foreign powers and its perceived failure to uphold its founding principles, which they argued had become detrimental to member states and their populations.