Russia To Assist Burkina Faso With Internal Security As Sahel Beckons

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has been meeting with his Burkina Faso counterpart Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore in Moscow. Burkina Faso is a small landlocked country located in the Sahel region of West Africa.

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) reports a sharp increase in terrorist activity in the Sahel countries, with Burkina Faso most affected by terrorism in 2024. This is due to the peculiarity of the country’s national composition as well as the topography that allows for the hiding place of militants of various groups, some of which are supported by France, who wish to see a change of government in the country.

Burkina Faso is also in commercial conflict with some of its regional African trading partners who it regards as pro-Paris, and on January 1 this year, together with its neighbours Niger and Mali, it left the region’s dominant trading bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to form its own trading group, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

All three countries are now ruled by military governments and all have expressed dissatisfaction with ECOWAS, whose policies are heavily influenced by foreign powers. All have stated that democratic elections will follow once the political and conflict situation has normalised.

ECOWAS had a 2024 GDP (PPP) of about US$2 trillion. The three AES countries have a combined GDP of about US$195 billion. All however have significant mineral reserves and wealth creation potential – if they can resolve the regional fighting. The immediate economic outlook for AES countries is also positive, with GDP (PPP) growth rates at 5.5% for Burkina Faso, 4% for Mali, and 10% for Niger, with the latter being the 3rd fastest growing economy in the world and the fastest growing economy in Africa in 2024.

Although Russia has been supportive of ECOWAS, it has also reaffirmed its support for Burkina Faso and the Sahel states in their efforts to maintain national security and address social and economic challenges. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated after the meeting with Traore that “Russia has reaffirmed its readiness to continue providing multifaceted assistance to Burkina Faso, including in ensuring national security and solving social and economic problems. Moscow and Ouagadougou stated their determination to deepen political dialogue and tighten foreign policy coordination.”

Lavrov and Traore also discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, humanitarian and cultural areas.

Russia and Burkina Faso 2024 trade reached about US$650 million, with Burkina Faso importing mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, explosives, iron and steel, fertilizers, cereals, and pharmaceutical products. Russian exports are currently aimed at supporting the government, preventing further civil and military unrest and assisting with regional security, while assisting the country get on its feet by providing energy resources. Burkina Faso has also expressed interest in joining the BRICS group.