Abstract: This paper examines the recently concluded Telecommunication and Remote Sensing Satellite Agreement of Russia with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as well as the Russia-Niger Satellite Deal to underscore Russia’s growing influence in the Sahel Region.
Russia’s footprint in Africa has expanded exponentially in recent years. This is especially evident in the Western Sahel region where the engagements between AES[i]( Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) and Russia have grown substantially since these countries left ECOWAS in January 2024. Among several other engagements between AES and Russia, two recent satellite deals stand out as they reflect Russia’s growing role as a security provider in the region at a time when France’s influence has declined. The first deal was signed on 24th September 2024 between Russia and AES concerning communication and monitoring of borders and natural disasters. On 1 November 2024, Niger signed an agreement with Glavkosmos, a Russian company, to improve communication capabilities and surveillance in the region. This viewpoint analyses these two satellite deals to underscore Russia’s growing influence in the Sahel region.
Telecommunication and Remote Sensing Satellite Agreement of Russia with AES
The Telecommunication and Remote Sensing Satellite Agreement was signed between the Russian State Corporation for Space Activities (ROSCOSMOS) and governments of West Sahelian countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso which aims to facilitate multi-service communications including internet and phone services, monitoring borders, and natural disasters such as floods, fires, and droughts.[ii]. The ministers from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso described the remote sensing satellite as an essential strategy to strengthen the national security of three countries in the region, especially after the September 2024, attack on the airport in Bamako[iii] by extremist groups like JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al Islamwal Muslimin), which is an Al Qaeda-affiliated group that symbolizes their growing power in the region.
In this regard, Niger’s recent deal with Russia becomes significant to further enhance the security of the region. Niger signed a Satellite deal with Russia’s company Glavkosmos on 1st November 2024. This deal primarily entails three satellites a telecommunication satellite, a remote sensing satellite, and a radar satellite[iv]. The objective of the agreement is to enhance the surveillance, and communication capabilities, improve internet access in remote areas, manage natural resources, and aid in disaster response in the Sahel region[v].In addition, it would also train the Nigerians to operate the satellites independently. The agreement is crucial as it would enhance the national security of the region which was challenged by the rising extremist force in the Sahel region due to its porous border. This was also emphasized by the Nigerian minister that “this agreement aligns with the sovereignty goals of AES”[vi]. These collaborations would help the AES established by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso on September 16, 2023, to have a unified front against the rise of extremist groups in the region.
Besides Russia’s engagement with AES[vii], its bilateral engagement with the three states, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has increased, beyond the defense particularly in the power, economic and climate domains (especially in solar and nuclear power). Recently, Russia sent its military equipment to Niger[viii] while the latter invited Russia to invest in its Uranium deposits and other natural resource production[ix]. Meanwhile, the Cooperation between Russia and Mali regarding constructing the Sanankoroba solar power plant to double the electricity power[x] is significant for Mali as it comes at a time when the country is facing electricity supply problems with only half of the population having access to electricity. Similarly, Burkina Faso’s military leaders have also signed a deal with Russia on nuclear power plants to enhance their electricity supplies which would further help Burkina Faso achieve its targets regarding 95% electricity supplies in urban areas and 50% in rural areas by 2030.
The growing engagement of the AES with Russia reflects their preference towards Russia at a time when the Western influence in the region has been receding[xi]. This has resulted in AES's withdrawal from the traditional alliance with France and French-led organizations like G5 Sahel formed in 2014 for the development and security of five member countries, the EU training missions in Mali and Niger, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and other capacity building programs. As a result, the dependence of the Alliance of Sahel States on Russia has gradually increased.
Conclusion
Russia's influence in Africa has increased in recent years since the departure of AES from ECOWAS in January 2024 . Its engagement with the Sahel region merits significant attention given the cooperation between Russia and AES in domains like security, stationing Private Military Companies(PMC), Telecommunication and remote sensing satellites and in the climate domain mainly in solar and nuclear energy. The growing engagement is mutually beneficial. While Russia has been diversifying its engagement with non-western partners in the wake of the Ukraine war, AES has been seeking new partners following the failure of French policy in the Sahel region. .
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*Julia Jose Thachil, Research Intern, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)
Disclaimer: The views expressed are personal.
Endnotes
[i] The leaders of the Sahel region signed a treaty on July 6, 2024, in Niamey, Niger. This treaty led to the formation of the Confederation of Alliance of Sahel States with the goal of strengthening the mutual defense agreement. For further details, please refer to the below article:
“Niger,Mali and Burkina Faso military leaders sign new pact,rebuff ECOWAS”,Al Jazeera,July 6,2024.
[ii] Paul Njie, “Russia in satellite deal with west African military government”,BBC,September 24,2024.
Russia to sell satellites to Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger
[iii] Paul Melly, Jihadist Airport assault leaves Mali Junta rattled, BBC, September 24, 2024.
Mali airport attack: Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists expose fragile security
[iv] “Niger signs deal with Russian firm for 3 satellites to bolster defense”,Xinhua,November 3,2024.
Niger signs deal with Russian firm for 3 satellites to bolster defense
[v] Rocco Caldero, “Niger’s Satellite Deal with Russia: Reshaping Sahel Security”, The Rio Times,November 4,2024.
Niger's Satellite Deal with Russia: Reshaping Sahel Security - The Rio Times
[vi]“Niger Secures Strategic Agreement with Russia for Defence and Security Satellite”, The Southern Africa Times, November 2,2024.
Niger Secures Strategic Agreement with Russia for Defence and Security Satellite
[vii] Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso military leaders sign new pact, rebuff ECOWAS,Al Jazeera,2024.
[viii] West countries to loose influence in Africa-Russian General staff,TASS,December 18,2024.
[ix] Niger invites Russia to mine Uranium and other resources,The Moscow Times,November 14,2024.
Niger Invites Russian Firms to Mine Uranium, Other Resources - The Moscow Times
[x] “ Mali, Russia start work on major solar plant”, VOA, May 2024.
Mali, Russia start work on major solar plant.
[xi] Africa sees Russia as key security partner amid competition from global players — diplomat,TASS,May 13,2024.