Strategic cooperation has strengthened Burkina Faso’s military, with 74% of land recovered from militants, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore has said
Russian instructors have played a crucial role in transforming Burkina Faso’s armed forces and enabling them to shift to offensive operations against militants, Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore has said in an exclusive interview with RT.
According to Traore, cooperation with Russia has “given a new face to the defense and security apparatus” in the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Citing the latest year-end report by the defense minister, Traore said more than 74% of the West African country’s territory previously under militant control has now been reclaimed.
The top diplomat gave the interview after being received by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow last Thursday. During the meeting, the two officials discussed strengthening cooperation across multiple strategic areas.
Traore announced the signing of a package of agreements establishing a new legal framework for bilateral ties. The sides also signed an agreement on an intergovernmental commission created to coordinate joint projects, as well as memorandums of understanding in higher education and research.
The minister described the current trajectory of relations with Moscow as steadily “strengthening” since the meeting between President Ibrahim Traore and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg in 2023.
Commenting on claims by Russian intelligence that France is attempting to destabilize the region, Traore said Ouagadougou had received the information “with great disappointment.” He stated that this indicated the continuation of a French neo-colonialist policy.
At the same time, he stressed that Burkina Faso remains open to cooperation with all partners, provided relations are based on equality and respect.
The minister backed Lavrov’s call for closer coordination against disinformation, saying Sahel countries face campaigns that hide their security and economic progress.
On civil nuclear energy, he confirmed ongoing cooperation with Russia’s Rosatom under a signed memorandum, with legal preparations underway and Burkinabe students already training in Russia.
Traore described the current trajectory of relations with Russia as “promising,” emphasizing that the future of bilateral ties largely depends on the commitment of the actors involved. He noted that those engaged today are dedicated to making the cooperation “exemplary.”