AES (Alliance of Sahel States) and the move away from ECOWAS

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🇷🇺🇲🇱 Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov held talks with Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Mali Corps General Sadio Camara.

'I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the award of the military rank of Corps General. This is a worthy recognition of your professionalism and contribution to strengthening the national statehood,' said Andrei Belousov.

📄 The Russian Defense Minister noted that the defense departments of both countries have a large common agenda of partnership. 'There are a lot of issues that we address now and a number of issues we have to address.'

In turn, Corps General Sadio Camara congratulated the Head of the Russian defense department on behalf of the President of the Alliance of Sahel States Assimi Goïta on the successful celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

'We understand, that without the sacrifice of the Soviet Union, the world would be a different place. We understand the significance of your sacrifice,' he noted.

Sadio Camara reassured that the leadership and the people of Sahel support the Russian Federation in the fight against fascism.

'We support the special military operation, which undoubtedly, will end in victory. The bravery of Russian soldiers and people will always be a source of inspiration for us,' Defense Minister of Mali added.

During the talks, the sides discussed the relevant directions of the cooperation between the defence departments of both countries.

Russian Defense Ministry

https://x.com/dana916/status/1921302779110232235

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🇷🇺🇳🇪 Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov holds talks with Head of Defense Department of Niger

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov held bilateral talks with Defense Minister of the Republic of Niger Corps General Salifou Modi.

'I am pleased by the opportunity to meet you in person. I thank you for accepting the invitation to visit the celebrations on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War,' Andrei Belousov said.

The Russian Defense Minister noted that the visit of the Head of the Defense Department of the Republic of Niger indicates that the Victory over fascism is a common celebration.

'We work towards dynamic expansion of the whole spectrum of military cooperation between Russia and Niger. We view the Alliance of Sahel States as a manifestation of the determination of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to build a new regional security architecture, as well as to pursue an independent foreign policy based on national interests and their own capacities,' Andrei Belousov streesed.

The Head of the Russian defense department pointed out, that the cooperation with African partners has a strategic and long-term nature, which provides for reliable, equal, and friendly relations.

'The President of the Russian Federation personally oversees the issues of our military cooperation,' the Head of the Russian Defense department noted.

▫️ In turn, Corps General Salifou Modu thanked Andrei Belousov for 'invitation to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory of Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War'.

▫️ The Head of the Defense Department of Niger also thanked for the attention of the Russian Federation to the development of cohesion and cooperation with the Republic of Niger and all countries of the Alliance of Sahel States.

▫️ During the talks, the sides discussed the relevant directions of cooperation between the defense departments of Russia and Niger.

Russian Defense Ministry

https://x.com/dana916/status/1921302250468806875

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Moscow sees the AES as a sign of the determination of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger,

MOSCOW, May 10, 2025 (AIB/TASS) - Russia views the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA) as a manifestation of the determination of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to build a new regional security architecture, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said, after holding a bilateral meeting with his Nigerien counterpart, General Salifou Modi.

"I am pleased to meet you. Thank you for accepting the invitation to attend the ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War," Mr. Belousov said.

"We are striving to ensure the dynamic development of all Russian-Nigerian military ties. We view the ESA as a manifestation of the determination of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to build a new regional security architecture and pursue an independent foreign policy based on their national interests and their own potential," the Russian minister emphasized.

According to him, the arrival of the Nigerien minister testifies to the fact that the victory over fascism is a common celebration.

General Modi in turn thanked Andrei Belousov for the invitation.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed current issues in the framework of military cooperation.

Burkina Faso Information Agency with TASS.

https://x.com/cecild84/status/1921268731612733580

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Names of the 23 civilians arrested by Wagner PMC and Malian army 2 days ago in Diafarabe, none have returned since, it is very likely they were executed in cold blood.
https://x.com/brantphilip1978/status...55951973585419

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JNIM militants visit localities under their control to preach to the residents in the Aribanda region of Mali, on the border with Burkina Faso and south of the Niger River.

https://x.com/brantphilip1978/status...49836485410887

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Only 36% of Togolese citizens wants to remain in ECOWAS, compared to 56% who wants their nation to join the AES immediately:

🇹🇬More than half of Togolese, 54%, support joining the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) instead of remaining in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The conclusion comes from an Afrobarometer survey carried out last November. The survey, covering 1,200 people, aligns with Foreign Minister Robert Dussey’s early 2025 statement about Togo’s interest in joining AES.

Men favor joining AES more than women, with 57% versus 50%. Urban residents support AES membership at 59%, while only 49% of rural respondents agree. Support peaks in the Central region at 74%, followed by Lomé Commune at 64% and the Savanes region at 60%.

Meanwhile, 36% want Togo to stay in ECOWAS, criticizing it as dominated by coup-born regimes that hinder West African integration.

In March 2025, Dussey publicly raised the possibility of joining AES, stirring debate among Togolese politicians and international observers.

This survey appears amid tense relations between AES and some ECOWAS members. Despite this, Togo strengthens economic ties with AES, notably by making Lomé’s port the main supply route for Burkina Faso and Niger.

A further interesting finding on who Togolese people blame for the breakdown of relations between ECOWAS and AES:

This majority cannot be ignored, especially when accompanied by the 64% who believe that the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS is justified. This sentiment is particularly strong among urban dwellers, the more educated, and members of the middle class, for whom regional independence is becoming imperative.
Complaints against ECOWAS are numerous: 34% of respondents point to excessive influence by foreign powers, 27% condemn the sanctions imposed on ESA member countries, and 21% regret the lack of military assistance in the face of jihadist insurgencies. At the same time, the same majority (54%) considers Russia's presence in West Africa useful, particularly through the Africa Corps, which is seen as a counterweight to traditional powers.

https://x.com/cecild84/status/1922893827859194344

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The #Sahel solidarity campaign network condemns the NATO backed terror attacks on #Burkina_Faso and also condemns the false and libellous report by US color revolution agency Human Rights Watch.
https://modernghana.com/news/1296590...n-burkina.html

WE REJECT HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH BIAS AND LIBELLOUS REPORT AGAINST BURKINA FASO

The dawn of the Sahel Revolution has led to remarkable advances in defeating terrorism, poverty alleviation, regional integration and unity, and a reassertion of sovereignty and true independence. France and the United States and their allies have been antagonistic toward the Sahel Revolution, and have concurrently pursued a covert foreign policy, aimed at destabilising the Sahel States of Mali, Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger, and murdering their leaders, as they did to past progressive leaders across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean nations.

So why has international instruments like Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other Organisations and the corporate media so desperately wanting to interpret the foreign policies of France and US, toward Africa? This affinity for imperialist and neo-colonial-driven agendas are not limited to the Sahel or Africa. Human Rights Watch behaves like any organic intellectual in the imperialist hegemony, fiddling around the edges and adjusting details. It plays approximately the same game as the European-based Cultic Empire.

Human Rights Watch repeatedly focuses on vilifying the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger, while ignoring rapid development in the social and economic sectors that is taking place in those progressive African countries. The US-based NGO has also ignored the fact that the ongoing terrorism war was imposed on the Sahel region by those foreign powers that initiated and spearheaded the genocide campaign in Libya, notably NATO members-states led by France, the US and Britain. As a result, it routinely judges the African continent in a manner that promotes colonial and imperialist-driven agendas, and discredits governments seeking sovereignty and total independence from foreign manipulative mechanism.
....

Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
Co-founder and President
The New African Charter International (NACI) and the Sahel Solidarity Campaign Network
(Sas-CaN)

https://x.com/timand2037/status/1922885967595307234

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🇷🇺🌍 Justice League: Russia Meets the Sahel Trio

At the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, justice ministers from Russia, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso met for the first time to enhance justice ties.

They plan to sign a cooperation agreement soon, with Russian Minister Konstantin Chuychenko emphasizing the potential for partnerships in this new format.

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1925236143609848189

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🇹🇩 Will Chad soon join the AES?

"Everyone must choose their alliances," says a presidential advisor.

Ali Abdel-Rhamane Haggar told Sputnik Africa that Chad shares the same cultures as its neighbors in the Sahel region.

⚠️But beware of the NEOCOLONIAL DANGER!

"Now we must succeed in avoiding the wars that neocolonialism is provoking — these intercommunal conflicts. I see foreign hands behind them."

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1925115345003503777

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US has announces relocation of its Africa Command (AFRICOM) headquarters to Morocco.

This strategic move aims to enhance U.S. engagement in the Sahel region, strengthening counterterrorism efforts and regional stability in partnership with Morocco, a key ally.

https://x.com/SprinterObserve/status...98636532949368

[Ravenlocke]

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
US has announces relocation of its Africa Command (AFRICOM) headquarters to Morocco.

This strategic move aims to enhance U.S. engagement in the Sahel region, strengthening counterterrorism efforts and regional stability in partnership with Morocco, a key ally.

https://x.com/SprinterObserve/status...98636532949368

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Translated from French by
⚠️ FAKE NEWS ALERT: Moroccan regime media 🇲🇦 among others, claimed that the
@USAfricaCommand
🇺🇸 was going to move its headquarters to Morocco.

➡️ Facts: No statement from US officials has been produced to this effect. In fact, the opposite was stated by General Langley, head of AFRICOM, two days ago during a hearing before the House of Representatives. In response to a question about a possible desire to move the headquarters of the command from Stuttgart 🇩🇪 to Morocco 🇲🇦 , he stated that such an option was not interesting from a cost/operational benefit point of view.
Source:

https://x.com/springfield_dz/status/1933153463254286718

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Congressman Hamadeh asks General Michael Langley, USMC Commander, U.S. Africa Command:

Do you ever envision moving the headquarters of AFRICOM from Germany to an African partner country like Morocco?

https://x.com/RepAbeHamadeh/status/1932520644195070296

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🇧🇫 AES Week kicks off June 26–30 in Ouagadougou, celebrating shared culture and honoring soldiers as pillars of regional stability.

🇳🇪 Meanwhile, the first AES Youth Forum will take place in Niamey on June 27–28, uniting young voices around a common vision for sovereignty in the Sahel.

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1938290412814266725

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Russia,Mali Sign Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...ion-agreement/

Russia and Mali have signed a nuclear power cooperation agreement which can be expected to ultimately result in an NPP in the country. Neighbouring Burkina Faso signed a similar agreement last week. #RussiaMali #NuclearDiplomacy

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1937504494763278711

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...ion-agreement/

Russia, Mali Sign Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement

June 24, 2025 Africa, Energy, Exports, Investment By Russia's Pivot to Asia

Russia and Mali have signed an agreement of cooperation concerning the use of nuclear energy, following the visit of Mali’s transitional president, Assimi Goita, to Russia. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin had previously ordered the signing of agreements between the Russian government and the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The corresponding agreement with Burkina Faso was signed last week.

According to these agreements, Russia intends to cooperate with Mali and Burkina Faso in creating and improving nuclear energy infrastructure and designing and constructing power and research nuclear reactors and particle accelerators, as well as water desalination plants. Other areas of cooperation include nuclear fuel cycle services for nuclear power plants and research reactors, radioactive waste management, and nuclear and radiation safety.

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/wp-co...6/Mali-Map.jpg

In 2023, Rosatom announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Mali on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The parties also discussed prospects for collaboration between the two countries in geological exploration and mining and in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Mali’s Minister of Economy and Finance Alousseni Sanou reported at last year’s Russian Energy Week that Mali planned to begin lithium mining and processing with Russia.

Rosatom Renewable Energy (until 2024—NovaWind)—Rosatom’s wind energy division—is also working with the government of Mali in the construction of a 200-megawatt (MW) solar power plant near the capital, Bamako. Last year, the company’s CEO, Grigory Nazarov, said that the construction of the power plant is expected to increase electricity production in Mali by 10%. He was quoted as saying, “The construction, which will cost €200 million (US$217 million), will take a year. The solar power plant is designed to operate steadily for 20 years and will come under the full control of Mali’s Ministry of Energy in 10 years.”

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🇧🇫🇳🇪🇲🇱 An assembly of the diaspora community of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was held in Naples, Italy.

The iconic Piazza Garibaldi hosted artists and community members from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as well as diplomats, in an event to raise awareness about the new political and development projects undertaken by the revolutionary governments of the Sahel region in Africa, which are standing up to European colonialism.

https://x.com/peoplesdispatch/status...00442939744462