Russia Vows Increased Support for Burkina Faso Amid Diplomatic Tour in West Africa

Lavrov's visit aims to strengthen ties with African nations and fill a perceived gap left by their traditional Western allies.

Speaking at a press conference in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital, Lavrov emphasized Russia's commitment to bolstering the country's security forces. He highlighted the presence of Russian instructors and pledged additional support, including military equipment and training, to enhance Burkina Faso's defense capabilities and combat remaining terrorist threats.

Lavrov also commended Burkina Faso's stance on the conflict in Ukraine, describing it as "objective and fair." He expressed Russia's readiness to support African nations striving to assert their independence from what he termed "neo-colonial influence."

Burkina Faso, a country of 20 million people, has endured significant turmoil in recent years due to violence perpetrated by extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State, as well as internal conflicts and political instability. Despite undergoing two coups within a short period, the country has struggled to address its security and humanitarian challenges.

The Norwegian Refugee Council has identified Burkina Faso as the world's most neglected crisis for two consecutive years, with millions in need of humanitarian assistance. The situation is dire, with a large portion of the population facing food insecurity and displacement. Despite this, Western governments have scaled back financial support to the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, expressed concern over the lack of Western involvement in addressing the crisis, noting the absence of European flags compared to Russian presence in Burkina Faso.

Following his visit to Burkina Faso, Lavrov arrived in Chad, another country grappling with significant humanitarian challenges. Russia's efforts to deepen its engagement in the region underscore the shifting dynamics of geopolitical influence in Africa.