SpaceWar.com - Your World At War
Defence ministers of Russia, Burkina discuss military cooperation
Moscow, Nov 7 (AFP) Nov 07, 2023
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his counterpart from Burkina Faso Kassoum Coulibaly met on Tuesday and agreed to strengthen defence ties, Moscow said.

Burkina's military rulers have deepened cooperation with Moscow, as the country looks to diversify its international allies following a coup last year.

Russia, which has grown more isolated since its Ukraine offensive, has in recent months discussed greater military cooperation with Burkina Faso.

Moscow has also pledged to deliver free grain to the African country, which is one of the world's poorest.

"Russian-Burkinabe relations are based solely on the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests, and in recent years they have gained positive dynamics," Shoigu said, according to the ministry.

The ministry published footage of Shoigu and Coulibaly shaking hands and holding a roundtable meeting with officials.

"I consider today's meeting to be another step in developing our friendly relations," Shoigu added.

Burkina Faso last year experienced two military coups -- both triggered in part by discontent at failures to stem a raging jihadist insurgency.

Since coming to power in September 2022, the ruling junta has distanced itself from France, its historic partner and former colonial power, and moved closer to Russia.

In October, Burkina Faso signed a deal with Russia for the construction of a nuclear power plant to increase the energy supply to the Sahel country where less than a quarter of the population has access to electricity.


ADVERTISEMENT




Space News from SpaceDaily.com
Macron says Europe must become 'space power' again
NASA raises chance for asteroid to hit moon
Tidal forces from the Sun may have shaped Mercury's tectonic features

24/7 Energy News Coverage
Tesla expected to launch long-discussed robotaxi service
Israeli army says struck ' inactive nuclear reactor' in Iran's Arak
New Zealand targets leadership in superconducting space tech with new research alliance

Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
Trump says US strikes 'obliterated' Iran nuclear sites
Israelis emerge from shelters to devastation after Iran attacks
Japan spots Chinese ships near disputed isles for record 216 straight days

24/7 News Coverage
NASA scientists find ties between Earth's oxygen and magnetic field
How did life survive 'Snowball Earth'? In ponds, study suggests
Arctic warming spurs growth of carbon-soaking peatlands



All rights reserved. Copyright Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.