MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. Western countries continue to lose influence in Africa as more and more countries in the region seek independence, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said at the briefing for foreign military attaches.

"The situation in Africa remains challenging. This is because Western countries continue using neocolonial approaches, viewing the continent exclusively as a source of strategic resources. Such approaches do not find support and understanding at present. The West continues losing its positions in this region as more and more African nations start struggling for independence," Gerasimov said.

He reminded that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger proclaimed the Alliance of Sahel countries to support regional security and strengthen control over the national territory and left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) because of its inability to help in fighting terrorism.