By Ayomide Otitoju
Malian military leader General Assimi Goita met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, pledging to deepen ties with the Kremlin amid escalating security challenges in the West African nation.
Goita, who seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, said his visit aimed to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as defence, transport, and economic development. “I am convinced this visit will be an occasion to reinforce our relations,” Goita told Putin during talks at the Kremlin.
Russia has become a key partner for Mali following its diplomatic break from France, the country’s former colonial ruler. Under Goita, Mali has leaned heavily on Moscow for support in combating jihadist insurgencies that continue to destabilize the Sahel region.
Putin, reaffirming Russia’s strategic interest in Africa, said there were strong prospects for collaboration in natural resources, energy, and logistics. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, including Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, Deputy Defence Minister Yunnus-bek Yevkurov, and the foreign ministers of both countries.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov also held separate talks with Malian Defence Minister Sadio Camara. “The priority task of our partnership is to achieve practical results in enhancing security and sovereignty,” Belousov stated.
Goita’s visit comes shortly after the Wagner paramilitary group—previously deployed alongside Malian forces—announced its withdrawal from the country. Its operations are now expected to be taken over by Wagner’s successor entity, the Africa Corps.
Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, formally exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) earlier this year, citing sovereignty concerns and external pressure over military rule.
