Russia is ready to assist Senegal and other African countries in strengthening their defense capabilities and counterterrorism readiness, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
Speaking after talks in Moscow with his Senegalese counterpart Yassine Fall, Lavrov highlighted the growing threat posed by Islamist groups in West Africa and emphasized the importance of joint countermeasures.
“Russia is ready to assist Senegal and other African countries in strengthening their defense capabilities and enhancing the counterterrorism readiness of their armed forces and special services,” the Russian foreign minister stated.
Lavrov noted that Islamist groups are gradually expanding their influence across West African nations, including Senegal’s neighbors.
The Russian diplomat said coordinated efforts are crucial to countering the spread of terrorism in the region, noting that “we share a common interest in joining forces to combat these threats.”
In addition to defense support, Sergey Lavrov announced that a cybersecurity center is being established in Senegal. “This is an area where we have accumulated very positive experience, both at the national level and within the framework of bilateral relations with many partners, as well as at the UN, where, at our initiative, work is underway on the development of norms and principles for ensuring international cybersecurity,” he said.
Yassine Fall stressed that Senegal is committed to strengthening economic and political ties with Russia, describing the relationship as rooted in “friendship and brotherly ties.”
“We are ready to cooperate and hope to elevate our interaction, particularly in economic relations, while also maintaining a strong political dialogue,” she added.
Last month, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won in a landslide victory in the March election, hosted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. During a meeting in Dakar, the sides discussed enhancing trade and investment partnerships, along with joint projects in mining, energy and agriculture.