Russia plans security cooperation deal with ECOWAS
Russia says it is preparing to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including on security, potentially expanding Moscow’s engagement beyond its established partnerships in the Sahel.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the plan on August 17 after talks in Moscow with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Lavrov said there was interest in the proposed cooperation and that Russia was ready to support efforts to strengthen security across West Africa.
The proposed agreement comes as West Africa faces persistent threats from jihadist groups and other armed organisations, particularly across the Sahel and parts of the coastal states.
Russia has developed close security ties with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 and formed the Alliance of Sahel States. Moscow has provided military equipment, training and personnel to the three countries through its Africa Corps.
Lavrov said Russia also wants to help build bridges between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States, arguing that insecurity does not stop at political borders.
The proposed memorandum would therefore come at a significant moment for the region, as ECOWAS seeks to address security challenges while managing its strained relationship with the three former member states.
There has been no detailed public announcement from ECOWAS yet on the proposed memorandum, including its scope, timeline or specific security commitments. For now, the proposal remains based primarily on the Russian government’s announcement.
If concluded, the agreement could give Moscow a more formal security engagement with West Africa’s main regional bloc, while potentially creating another channel for dialogue between ECOWAS and the Sahel states.
