Renowned security analyst Prof. Kwesi Aning has backed Burkina Faso’s recent pivot toward closer ties with Russia, insisting that African nations must be free to determine their own strategic alliances without undue interference from the West.
Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV, the Head of the Office for International Cooperation at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) strongly pushed back against criticism of Burkina Faso’s evolving relationship with Moscow, describing much of the Western outcry as hypocritical.
“Let’s be honest—Russia invaded Ukraine, yes, but many of the countries raising concerns are still doing business with Russia,” Prof. Aning argued. “Western firms continue to find backdoors to trade in Moscow despite sanctions. So why is it problematic when an African country does the same?”
Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, has recently been strengthening ties with Russia in areas ranging from security to infrastructure and economic support. The realignment follows years of strained relations with Western governments, especially over counter-terrorism cooperation and post-coup political transitions.
Prof. Aning made it clear that sovereignty means more than holding elections—it includes the right to chart independent foreign policy. “It’s up to the leadership of Burkina Faso to decide who their friends are,” he stated. “We must respect that sovereignty.”
His remarks highlight growing frustration within African policy circles over perceived neo-colonial pressure and the expectation that African states should toe Western diplomatic lines. He called for a more balanced discourse that respects the choices of African governments as equal players on the global stage.
“I’m not worried about all these noises coming from people,” he said. “Let’s focus on what’s best for Africans, decided by Africans.”
This stance mirrors a broader trend in the Sahel, where dissatisfaction with traditional Western partnerships has opened the door to alternative alliances—with Russia, China, and others—reflecting a shifting global order in which African states seek greater autonomy and diversified partnerships.
