Russia and the West African countries making up the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have pledged to strengthen military cooperation as jihadist insurgents gain ground in the region, according to a joint statement issued on Wednesday night after talks in Niger's capital.

The geopolitical contest between the United States and Russia in Africas Sahel is intensifying, with Moscow dispatching a major naval-backed arms shipment to Mali just months…

Lors d’un échange avec l’Alliance des Etats du Sahel, qui regroupe le Mali, le Niger et le Burkina Faso, le chef de la diplomatie russe et les leaders putschistes se sont accordés…