Russian Foreign Minister (FM) Sergey Lavrov arrived in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, marking a historic first-of-its-kind visit to the country. He arrived from Addis Ababa, which served as the launching pad for his broader African tour.
Lavrov's visit aims to facilitate his participation in the ministerial meeting between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
He is scheduled to take part in a joint session and hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the three Sahelian nations.
This visit comes as part of efforts to bolster the growing relations between Moscow and the Sahel states.
During their inaugural ministerial meeting held in Moscow last April, the alliance—which comprises Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—agreed with Russia to establish a strategic and solidarity-based partnership in the fields of security and defense, while intensifying joint efforts to combat terrorism and address all forms of instability in the region.
The alliance has been gaining significant momentum on the ground. In July 2024, the presidents of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso signed a charter in Niamey establishing the Alliance of Sahel States Confederation.
This treaty provides for the coordination of diplomatic action, foreign policy alignment, and the deepening of economic ties and security cooperation among the member states.
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