High-level Russian delegation visits African states

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak is leading discussions on bilateral cooperation in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger

A Russian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak on behalf of President Vladimir Putin has begun a diplomatic and economic tour of Sahel nations in Africa, focusing on strengthening ties in trade, energy, and infrastructure.  

The delegation arrived in Mali on Thursday and later traveled to Burkina Faso. It is set to conclude the trip in Niger on Friday. 

Novak met with Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and the country’s interim leader, Assimi Goita, in Bamako. Talks centered on expanding collaboration in trade, energy, transport, infrastructure, agriculture, and mineral extraction, according to a statement from the Russian government’s press service.  

The Russian deputy prime minister emphasized Moscow’s commitment to boosting Mali’s economic potential, highlighting President Putin’s directive to elevate bilateral trade and cooperation to a new level.   

Later on Thursday the delegation traveled to Burkina Faso, where Novak and his team met with Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela. The Russian delegation included high-ranking officials such as Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and representatives from Russian state nuclear power firm Rosatom. 

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Discussions covered bilateral cooperation and reflected Burkina Faso’s alignment with Russia on global and regional agendas, including a shared vision for a fairer international order underpinned by international law and a strengthened central role of the UN, the Russian government’s press service noted. 

In late October, Malian President Goita hosted Russian business representatives in Bamako to explore opportunities in textiles, hydrocarbons, and gold and cotton processing. 

Earlier this month, Mali’s prime minister held talks with a delegation from Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education to discuss collaboration in education and scientific research.  

Burkina Faso signed an agreement with Rosatom in October 2023 for the construction of a nuclear power plant, following a request made by its interim leader, Ibrahim Traore, to Putin at the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. Traore last year described Moscow as a “strategic ally.”  

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Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, now governed by military leaderships, formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023, and have sought Russian defense support to combat a decade-long jihadist insurgency in the region.