https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240119/aes-looks-forward-to-russias-help-in-strengthening-blocs-military-capabilities-nigers-pm-says-1064696853.html

AES Looks Forward to Russia's Help in Strengthening Bloc's Military Capabilities, Niger's PM Says

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Sputnik Africa had an interview with the Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, as a delegation headed by him is currently in Moscow, engaging in... 19.01.2024, Sputnik Africa

2024-01-19T17:01+0100

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Member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali — look forward to Russia's help in strengthening countries' military capabilities to protect their people, Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine told Sputnik Africa.The minister added that the bloc "will sign any agreement that will lead to this protection."Furthermore, talking about the AES, Zeine pointed out that the creation of the organization was based on common history, culture, geography as well as economic and security challenges of the member countries."We have an organization first and foremost, and our relationship goes back thousands of years. We are bound by history, culture and geography," he pointed out.The minister further reminded that the AES was established on the ground of the Liptako-Gourma Authority organization that has existed since the 1970s. The AES, however, has an important division — security and defense.Moving on to discussing the problem of terrorism, the minister described the participation of Western contingents in the fight against terrorism on the African continent as "disappointing". However, Niger was able to cope with the threat without outside help.The minister also reminded that his country "never attacked anyone" and expressed his hopes for an early victory over terrorism, as "all peace-loving countries should have [this problem] behind them."This week was fruitful for Niger-Russia relations, as the West African country's delegation paid a visit to Moscow. During the talks, both countries discussed issues of strengthening bilateral relations, their expansion in trade, economic, investment, humanitarian and other spheres.Russia "confirmed its readiness to help overcome social and economic issues in Niger, including by providing the necessary humanitarian assistance," as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry, following the Thursday meeting of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Sangare and Defense Minister Salifou Mody.Moreover, Niger and Russia agreed to review and extend old energy contracts, while the African country also expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with the BRICS countries, according to the Nigerien prime minister.

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AES Looks Forward to Russia's Help in Strengthening Bloc's Military Capabilities, Niger's PM Says

17:01 19.01.2024

Ali Lamine Zeine, Nigerien Prime Minister, visiting Moscow, January 16, 2024 - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 19.01.2024

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Sputnik Africa had an interview with the Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, as a delegation headed by him is currently in Moscow, engaging in a series of meetings with Russian officials. The politician assessed the West’s participation in the fight against terrorism and shared his expectations regarding cooperation with Russia.

The minister added that the bloc "will sign any agreement that will lead to this protection."

"Of course, we [Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali] expect our partner, Russia, to strengthen our capabilities, provide us with the advice we need and, above all, to mobilize the equipment we need to protect our countries. To protect our people, not to wage war against anyone. So here, Russia has accepted it. Of course, we will sign any agreement that will lead to this protection with both hands. That's all I can say," Zeine revealed.

Furthermore, talking about the AES, Zeine pointed out that the creation of the organization was based on common history, culture, geography as well as economic and security challenges of the member countries.

"We have an organization first and foremost, and our relationship goes back thousands of years. We are bound by history, culture and geography," he pointed out.

The minister further reminded that the AES was established on the ground of the Liptako-Gourma Authority organization that has existed since the 1970s. The AES, however, has an important division — security and defense.

“So we [Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali] have everything we need to be able to share our concerns, have joint projects, joint strategies and also pool our resources to defend ourselves,” the official stated. "So within this framework, we obviously exchange a lot."

Moving on to discussing the problem of terrorism, the minister described the participation of Western contingents in the fight against terrorism on the African continent as "disappointing". However, Niger was able to cope with the threat without outside help.

"As you know, we have an army that knows how to fight and obviously, we [...] aspire and we hope that very soon, much more fruitful cooperation will allow, at least in the case of our country, to succeed in containing terrorism that affects [Niger] and which we did not seek," Zeine said.

The minister also reminded that his country "never attacked anyone" and expressed his hopes for an early victory over terrorism, as "all peace-loving countries should have [this problem] behind them."

"Niger has never attacked anyone. I hope and wish that in the very near future, we could manage to somewhat contain this phenomenon [i.e. terrorism], which is a phenomenon that all peace-loving countries should have behind them," the politician noted.

This week was fruitful for Niger-Russia relations, as the West African country's delegation paid a visit to Moscow. During the talks, both countries discussed issues of strengthening bilateral relations, their expansion in trade, economic, investment, humanitarian and other spheres.

Russia "confirmed its readiness to help overcome social and economic issues in Niger, including by providing the necessary humanitarian assistance," as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry, following the Thursday meeting of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Sangare and Defense Minister Salifou Mody.

Moreover, Niger and Russia agreed to review and extend old energy contracts, while the African country also expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with the BRICS countries, according to the Nigerien prime minister.