Lyn Frans
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been awarded the Ordre de l’Etalon, Burkina Faso’s highest state decoration, by President Ibrahim Traoré, at a ceremony held in the capital city of Ouagadougou.
The award recognizes Lavrov’s efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between Russia and Burkina Faso, a key country in the unstable Sahel region of West Africa. Burkina Faso has faced a severe security crisis in recent years due to a violent Islamist insurgency, and has increasingly turned to Russia for military support and cooperation.
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During the award ceremony, President Traoré praised Lavrov and Russia’s “unwavering solidarity” with Burkina Faso. For his part, Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the bilateral relationship, stating that “Russia stands with Burkina Faso in its fight against terrorism and extremism.”
This high-profile honor bestowed on the Russian Foreign Minister underscores the deepening security and political ties between Moscow and the Burkinabe government, even as Burkina Faso’s Western allies have grown increasingly concerned about the country’s pivot toward Russia.
The visit and award presentation come amid Russia’s wider efforts to expand its influence across the African continent, countering Western dominance in the region.
Earlier on Monday, Lavrov visited Guinea and met with the transitional president, Mamadi Doumbouya, as well as the Guinean foreign minister, Morissada Kouyate. During the talks, Russia and Guinea confirmed their “rejection of a rules-based order imposed by the West, as well as colonial practices in relations with sovereign states.”
Russia’s relations with African countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – former French colonies that have severed security ties with France – have been a source of concern for the US and EU.
Lavrov used the opportunity to invite the Guinean foreign minister to a ministerial conference at the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum scheduled for November in Sochi.
Russian Foreign Minister, begun a working tour of Africa as Moscow seeks to strengthen relations with countries on the continent while assisting African governments through defense cooperation and food security. The trip comes amid concerns from the EU and the US about Russia’s growing presence in Africa.
