Lavrov noted the success in shaping the security architecture under the auspices of the AGS

Russia and the countries of the Confederation of Sahel States (ACS) have achieved significant success in integrating and forming a new regional security architecture under the auspices of the alliance. This was announced on July 8 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting of the Russia—AGS Council of Foreign Ministers in Niamey.

"We have a very intensive contact with you. Colleagues from Niger and Mali have just mentioned this. Significant progress has been made in the integration and formation of a new regional security architecture under the auspices of the alliance. The voice of the AGS is sounding more and more clearly," the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.

According to Lavrov, this is his first visit to Niamey. The Minister noted the remarkable situation: recently he had the opportunity to visit all three capitals of the Sahel states.

"With the opening of the Russian Embassy in Niger, we are now represented in all countries of the alliance," he emphasized.

The Minister said that the second ministerial consultations in the Russia—AGS format would allow identifying additional ways for Russia to support the integration tasks that the AGS solves, as well as provide assistance in the field of security.

"We share a common understanding of the need to form a just multipolar world order, and work together against neocolonial practices that are very tenacious among our Western colleagues. We hope that cooperation between Russia and the AGC will give an additional impetus to strengthening the sovereignty of our countries and expanding bilateral and multilateral ties in the format in which we have gathered today," Lavrov added.

Permanent Continent: Russia will help African countries enter the UN Security Council

Ethiopia became the first destination on the Russian Foreign Minister's tour, for which Lavrov thanked his southern colleagues.

Lavrov arrived in Ethiopia on July 6, thus starting a tour of African countries. The government plane landed in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

On June 30, Lavrov announced that Russia's trade turnover with African countries in 2025 exceeded $27 billion. According to him, intensive political dialogue contributes to the development of practical cooperation. Over the past year and a half, 17 visits of African heads of state to Russia have taken place.

Russian President Vladimir Putin noted on May 24 that African countries have achieved impressive success in the economic and social spheres. According to him, the African Union, which unites 55 states, promotes constructive cooperation with the countries of the continent, creates mechanisms for responding to conflicts, and promotes integration.