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Security - 3 May 2026

Mali and Russia Reaffirm Security Partnership in High-Level Meeting

By Amina Kabasele3 min readFrançais

BAMAKO, April 28, 2026 - The President of the Transition of Mali, General Assimi Goïta, held talks on Tuesday with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Igor Gromyko, focusing on bilateral cooperation and ongoing security collaboration between Bamako and Moscow.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review the current state of relations, with particular emphasis on military cooperation and joint efforts in the fight against terrorism.

During the discussions, the Russian ambassador reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to supporting Mali in its counterterrorism operations, highlighting ongoing coordination between Malian forces and Russian military personnel.

He also expressed support for the Malian Armed Forces and their partners, wishing them success in ongoing security operations, while reiterating Russia’s position as a long-standing partner and ally of Mali.

The Malian presidency underscored the strength of the partnership between the two countries, which continues to evolve around shared security priorities and strategic cooperation in a context marked by persistent regional security challenges.

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