Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, on Tuesday, met with his Burkinabe counterpart, Kassoum Coulibaly, in Moscow, where both parties agreed to deepen defense cooperation between their countries.
This development marks a significant shift as Burkina Faso’s military rulers continue to forge stronger ties with Russia, moving away from their traditional alliances after last year’s coup.
In the wake of increasing international isolation following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been seeking new partners, including African nations like Burkina Faso.
Over recent months, discussions on enhancing military collaboration between the two countries have intensified.
As part of Moscow’s outreach, Russia has also promised to provide free grain to Burkina Faso, which struggles with widespread poverty and food insecurity.
“Russian-Burkinabe relations are founded solely on mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests,” Shoigu emphasized in a statement from the defense ministry. He noted that their bilateral ties had gained “positive dynamics” in recent years.
The ministry also released footage showing the two ministers shaking hands and participating in a roundtable with officials from both sides.
Shoigu expressed optimism about the meeting, calling it “another step in developing our friendly relations.”
Burkina Faso, a West African nation plagued by a violent jihadist insurgency, witnessed two military coups in 2022, both stemming from public dissatisfaction over the government’s inability to quell the rising violence.
Since taking power in September 2022, the junta has distanced itself from France, its former colonial ruler, and sought closer cooperation with Moscow.
In a notable move last October, Burkina Faso and Russia inked an agreement for the construction of a nuclear power plant aimed at boosting energy supplies to the country.
This is particularly significant for a nation where less than 25% of the population has access to electricity, underscoring the junta’s intent to address both security and economic challenges with new global partnerships.
