Russia and Togo are set to establish embassies in each other’s capital cities next year, as announced by the leaders of both nations on Wednesday. This move is part of Russia’s strategy to strengthen its influence in Africa.

Since the onset of its comprehensive military campaign in Ukraine, Russia has been actively working to develop political, economic, and military alliances throughout Africa, a region where Western influence has diminished over recent years.

Togo has been increasingly aligning itself with Russia, having entered into a military cooperation agreement with Moscow earlier this year.

“This year marks 65 years of our diplomatic relations. Interestingly, throughout this time, we have never opened embassies,” President Vladimir Putin stated during discussions with Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé in Moscow. “However, we have finally reached an agreement—next year, we will establish embassies in both nations.”

Gnassingbé expressed gratitude to Putin for his continued support in funding scholarships for Togolese students, and he expressed hopes that the opening of the new embassies would enhance educational connections.

The small West African nation of Togo has faced challenges in addressing a jihadist insurgency that has spread from neighboring Sahel countries, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 civilians and soldiers in attacks this year.

Gnassingbé has also been positioning himself as a regional mediator, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Meanwhile, Russia has strengthened its security presence in the Sahel region. In August, it formalized a defense memorandum with the military leaders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, all of whom have distanced themselves from France and turned to Moscow, which has dispatched mercenaries to aid them in combating jihadist threats.

Recent reports from Russian state television indicate that Russian troops are now deployed in six African nations.