Russia has agreed to provide military aid to a newly established joint force formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, according to a report by Bloomberg. This move is seen as a significant expansion of Russia's influence in West Africa, where the country has been increasingly active in recent years.

The agreement, announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, will see Moscow provide arms and military training to the joint force, leveraging its existing military instructors in the three West African nations. This development comes as the region grapples with instability fueled by military coups and Islamist insurgencies.

The three Sahel states have become increasingly violent since the deployment of Kremlin-linked Wagner Group mercenaries in 2021, with reported fatalities hitting a record 7,600 in the first half of 2024, a 190% increase compared to 2021, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).

The joint force was established in 2023, with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso signing a mutual defense pact to combat groups linked to both the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Russia's involvement is seen as a significant boost to the initiative, with Lavrov stating that Russian specialists can help develop and arm the forces with specific weapons and machinery.

Mali's Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, hailed Russia as a permanent ally in the nation's fight against "terrorism." The development is also seen as a significant expansion of Russia's growing military footprint in Africa, where the country has been increasingly active in recent years.

The Kremlin-linked Wagner Group began deploying to Mali in 2021, followed by Burkina Faso and Niger. Since then, some of these personnel have been replaced by troops from the Africa Corps, as Moscow tightens its grip on Wagner's business operations in Africa following the death of the group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The implications of Russia's expanded military influence in West Africa are significant, with the region becoming increasingly important in the global geopolitical landscape. The development is likely to be closely watched by Western powers, who have been critical of Russia's involvement in the region.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Russia's expanded military influence in West Africa will impact the region's stability and security. However, one thing is clear: Russia's involvement is set to play a significant role in shaping the region's future.