Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have announced a deal with Russia which will see them acquire telecoms and surveillance satellites.

The three West African countries have been combating Islamist insurgencies for years and have turned to Russia for military support.

Ministers from the three countries met officials from Russia’s aerospace agency Roscosmos in Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Monday, to discuss the agreement.

The technology will boost border surveillance and national security in all three countries, says Mali’s Finance Minister, Alousséni Sanou, adding that it would enable secure communications.

Sanou also said the satellites would help them to monitor and respond to floods, droughts, fires and other emergencies.

It is also expected to provide internet and telephone services in inaccessible and underdeveloped areas within the Sahel.

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