Burkina Faso, Russia hold talks to strengthen military ties

Interim President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, has met with a Russian delegation to discuss military cooperation as the junta continues to strengthen its stay in power.

The visit, led by Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov, was described as a follow-up to discussions between Traoré and President Vladimir Putin at the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg in July.

The talks centered on military assistance, including “the training of Burkinabe officer cadets and officers at all levels, including pilots in Russia,” according to a statement released on Thursday.

The two parties also had conversations about economic cooperation and nuclear energy, according to the report.

The head of the Russian delegation pledged support for the junta and the Burkinabe people in all sectors of development.

Traore like other military generals in power in Africa including Mali, Guinea, and now Niger have been seeking close ties with Russia.

The visit comes at a time when the Kremlin is trying to increase its political and economic influence in Africa.

Wagner, the Russian mercenary whose leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, had planned to expand its activities to Burkina Faso before his death in a plane crash in Russia last week.

Wagner soldiers are incorporated in countries such Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) among others where Prigozhin has business interests.