Russia Affirms Support for West African Stability as Togo Unveils New Sahel Strategy
LOMÉ, Togo – Russian diplomacy took center stage in West Africa this week as senior official Tatyana Dovgalenko visited Lomé for high-level talks and the launch of Togo’s New Strategy for the Sahel (2026–2028).
Dovgalenko, who directs the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Partnership with Africa, held a series of meetings from April 15–18 with key regional and international actors, reaffirming Moscow’s growing engagement with the continent.
UN and ECOWAS Talks
On April 15, Dovgalenko met with Leonardo Simão, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). The two officials discussed maintaining stability, confidence-building measures, and fostering dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the newly formed Confederation of Sahel States (CSS).
Russia reaffirmed its support for UNOWAS initiatives and stressed the need for a unifying agenda that reflects ground realities.
Two days later, Dovgalenko held discussions with ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, with both sides confirming their commitment to deeper collaboration, including through the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.
Invitation to Third Russia-Africa Summit
During a working meeting with Malemda Kamele, Director of Togo’s Department of International Cooperation, Dovgalenko extended an invitation from President Vladimir Putin to Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé to attend the third Russia-Africa Summit.
‘Africa’s Second Awakening’
On April 18, Dovgalenko addressed the high-level meeting presenting Togo’s new Sahel strategy. In her remarks, she emphasized that Russia places substantial importance on strengthening ties with West Africa.
“The African continent is experiencing a ‘second awakening,'” she said, drawing a parallel to the mid-20th century independence movements. “Today, Africans are pursuing comprehensive sovereignty.”
She underscored the principle of “African solutions to African problems” and expressed support for dialogue among Sahelian countries, the African Union, and ECOWAS.
Coordination with Sahel States
On April 19, Dovgalenko met jointly with the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as a senior Malian diplomat, to compare views on regional dialogue. The talks focused on preparations for Russia-CSS ministerial consultations.
She also met with Mamadou Tangara, Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson and head of the AU Mission in Mali and the Sahel.
The visit underscores Russia’s push to expand diplomatic and security cooperation across West Africa amid ongoing realignments in the crisis-hit Sahel region.
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