Russia deepens military ties with Sahel alliance amid shifting alliances

New defence agreements signed in Niamey

Russia has ramped up its military collaboration with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a union comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. High-level discussions concluded in Niamey saw the Russian Foreign Minister and AES representatives formalise a joint commitment to bolster defence cooperation. The focus? Countering extremist violence and stabilising the region’s security landscape.

The meeting marked a significant stride in Moscow’s strategy to expand its footprint in West Africa, particularly as these three nations reassess their military partnerships with traditional Western allies.

Shifting alliances in the Sahel

The AES emerged in late 2023, initially formed as a mutual defence pact before evolving into a broader political, economic and security alliance. By early 2025, the bloc had taken decisive steps, including exiting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and launching plans to establish a unified 5,000-strong military force. This force aims to tackle terrorism and secure borders across the Sahel.

The Kremlin’s growing involvement aligns with the deployment of Russia’s African Corps—a defence ministry-led initiative designed to fill the operational role previously held by private military contractors in several African nations.

Long-term stability remains a challenge

While enhanced military support may offer short-term gains in counterterrorism efforts, analysts caution that deeper systemic issues—such as governance gaps, poverty, climate pressures, resource competition and the proliferation of armed groups—require more than just security bolstering. Addressing these root causes is essential for lasting regional stability.