Russia and Sahel countries sign memoranda of understanding

The heads of defense departments of the member countries of the Confederation of Sahel States, which includes Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, signed memoranda of understanding with Russia. This was announced on August 14 by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

"Today we are holding the first consultations of the heads of the defense departments of the Russian Federation and the member countries of the Confederation of Sahel States. July marked one year since the establishment of the Confederation of Sahel States. The decision to create the alliance is the result of the Sahelian peoples' free choice of a course towards sustainable peaceful development," said Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

He stressed that at the moment, terrorist threats and active actions of illegal armed groups in the countries of the association remain. Belousov also drew attention to the fact that the Russian Defense Ministry is ready to provide comprehensive assistance to ensure stability in the region.

Important agreement: The Russian Federation will sign an agreement on military cooperation with Benin

What are Moscow's overall prospects in West Africa

On July 22, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed Russia's readiness to consider all appeals from Mozambique regarding the republic's defense capability in the field of counterterrorism. According to him, Moscow will help create conditions for resolving conflicts in Africa.

Prior to that, on June 23, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia's cooperation with African countries could be mutually beneficial. He clarified that after the collapse of the USSR, Russia lost its position on the continent, but this situation began to change.

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