Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov strengthens ties in West Africa

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Guinea in West Africa. This is part of Russia's efforts to gain support from African countries due to the conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov met with Guinea's foreign minister to talk about working together. Guinea is ruled by a military junta since 2021. The junta leader, Doumbouya, doesn't want Western countries to interfere in Africa's problems. Some West African countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have had military coups. They are now getting support from Russia instead of Western powers. Lavrov visited Mali and South Africa to offer military help. He also traveled to North Africa to strengthen ties there. In West Africa, Burkina Faso and Niger have turned to Russia for security support after removing Western forces. Lavrov's visit to Guinea is part of Russia's strategy to build alliances in Africa. This is happening as some African countries are shifting their alliances away from traditional partners like France and the United States towards Moscow. Lavrov's meetings aim to secure support or at least neutrality from African nations during Russia's conflict in Ukraine.