The military juntas of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, have struck a deal with Russia to acquire telecoms and surveillance satellites. The deal aims to strengthen the West African countries’ ability to combat Islamist insurgencies that have plagued the region for years. Officials from Russia’s aerospace agency, Roscosmos, met with ministers in Mali’s capital, Bamako, to finalise the agreement. According to Mali’s Finance Minister, Alousséni Sanou, the satellite technology will enhance border surveillance and secure communications, both of which are critical for maintaining national security in …