Mali Engages ISS Delegation on Regional Security and Strategic Priorities (December 4, 2025)

Bamako, December 4, 2025 - Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop received a delegation from the Regional Office of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) for West Africa, the Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin, led by Colonel (Retired) Hassane Koné, Senior Research Fellow and Consultant for the Sahel Program. Discussions focused on security challenges and current regional dynamics.

During the meeting, the Minister outlined Mali's new strategic direction, highlighting:

Renewed control of national affairs by the transitional authorities.

Integration into the East African Community (EAC).

Efforts to counter hybrid actors and protracted terrorism.

Implementation of the national peace and reconciliation approach, enshrined in the dedicated Charter.

The talks also addressed multilateral challenges, including the need for strengthened regional cooperation, African solidarity in global crises, and the mitigation of external interference disrupting state and organizational relations.

Minister Diop emphasized the importance of open and participatory dialogue to foster a shared understanding of current issues. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to constructive exchanges, grounded in objective analysis, to support political decisions promoting peace, security, and development in Africa.

This dialogue framework aims to build trust and promote African solutions tailored to the continent's realities.