Russia in satellite deal with West African military governments

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have announced a new partnership with Russia to acquire telecoms and remote-sensing satellites.

The three West African countries, run by military juntas, have been struggling to defeat Islamist insurgencies for years and have turned to Russia for military support.

Russia denies that its mercenaries have committed atrocities against civilians and that it is pushing propaganda and misinformation in West Africa's Sahel region.

Ministers from the three countries met officials from Russia’s aerospace agency Roscosmos in Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Monday, to discuss implementation plans.

The technology will boost border surveillance and national security in all three countries, says Mali’s Finance Minister, Alousséni Sanou.

He also said it would help them to monitor and respond to floods, droughts, fires and other emergencies.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso last year formed the Alliance of Sahel States - it was originally to boost military co-operation, but has since broadened.

They have hailed the remote-sensing satellite project as crucial for their security strategy, just days after Islamist militants attacked an airport in Bamako - which is usually spared such assaults.

Ministers say the telecoms satellite will facilitate the broadcast of television and radio signals across their three countries.

It is also expected to provide internet and telephone services in inaccessible and underdeveloped areas within the Sahel, the semi-arid area south of the Sahara Desert.

Russia has been seeking to expand its footprint in Africa, especially in the Sahel, since relations between these countries and their Western allies broke down.

Despite the use of Russian weapons and mercenaries, the security situation in the region remains dire.