Russia commits to military backing of alliance of Sahel States

Russia has recently declared its commitment to support the military and security forces of member states of the Alliance of Sahel States, sparking concerns over regional dynamics and implications for existing partnerships. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprised of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has been seeking military assistance from Russia since 2022, following sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for orchestrating coups in their respective countries. The AES's pivot towards Russia has raised questions about the alliance's motives and potential isolation from African and Western partners. Kehinde Giwa, a Security Analyst at SBM Intelligence, discussed the implications of the alliance's military collaboration with Russia in a recent CNBC Africa interview. Giwa expressed his reservations about the AES's increasing reliance on Russian military support, highlighting the role of Wagner forces, a private military organization backed by the Russian government, in training troops and supplying weapons to combat insurgencies in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Giwa cautioned that the AES's alignment with Russia could have far-reaching consequences, potentially reshaping power dynamics in the region and marginalizing existing partners like France and the United States. The AES's decision to impose a 0.5 percent import levy on ECOWAS goods further strained economic relations within the West African region, disrupting the free trade that ECOWAS member states had relied upon. The AES's growing military ties with Russia have raised concerns among international observers, with the United Nations expressing unease over Niger's withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force. As Russia expands its military presence in Africa, the AES's collaboration with Russian forces could potentially shift the balance of power, leading to geopolitical realignments and increasing tensions within the region. In light of these developments, the future of the AES's partnership with Russia and its implications for regional security remain uncertain. The alliance's decision to deepen its military cooperation with Russia has significant implications for the Sahel region and beyond, underscoring the complexities of navigating geopolitical rivalries and alliances in the increasingly volatile security landscape of West Africa.