In an interview with Sputnik, Malian Minister of Economy Alousseni Sanou, noted that satellites would allow the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to strengthen its defenses and safeguard its communication routes.
“People in remote areas need to communicate and connect with markets. So, this telecommunications satellite will allow us to ensure broader coverage of our territories in terms of communications, telecommunications, and internet access,” the minister stated.
The AES ministers declared during the week that a satellite communication and remote sensing project will soon be implemented, with Russian assistance.
The three AES consisting of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are mostly farming nations, as stated by the Malian minister.
This underscores the crucial function that satellites play in providing internet access to rural locations, which is necessary to promote regional development and improve connectivity in underserved regions.
Additionally, during the interview the minister mentioned the crucial role satellites would play in bolstering the region’s security.
“We will be able to monitor all the borders and track population movements. In terms of internal security, this will let us have information about population movements, about everything we call climate change,” Sanou added.
On the subject of the exploration of natural resources, the minister stated; “We have even set a timetable for the start of extraction. A team from the Russian Federation is expected to arrive in Mali at the end of October to conduct the first on-site exploration. The Russian Federation will provide us with sufficient resources to finance the development of all other sectors.”
These explorations which are touted to be subsequently beneficial to the Malian economy would involve precious resources such as lithium, oil, and gas.
