Rolling with the Red Bear: Mali's Military Regime Flaunts Shifting Ties with Russia
Seeking to Enhance Relations: Mali's Military Leader Pursues Stronger Connections with Russia - Seeking Enhanced Ties with Russia: Mali's Military Leader Pursues Moscow Visit for Stronger Bond Development
Hey there! In the crazy world we live in, let's dive into the latest developments between Mali and Russia.
Mali's military junta, helmed by General Assimi Goita, has been creating Ruckus since taking over in 2020 and 2021. Recently, Goita made a visit to the heart of Mother Russia, a rendezvous with the infamous Vladimir Putin. Putin was all smiles, welcoming Goita with open arms and a hearty "Nice to see ya!" regarding the "excellent potential" for ties in various sectors, such as mining, energy, and logistics.
For those who don't know, Mali's been busy dancing to Russia's tune on the military and political front. Why, you ask? Simple: Russia's backing their military rebel yells against jihadist groups, which brings us to those Wagner mercenaries. You might have heard about them causing a ruckus before, but they've cleared out of Mali lately. Fear not, though, because they're just swapping spots with the Africa Corps, a fancy new Russia-managed paramilitary group!
Assimi GoitaMoscowVladimir PutinMaliRussiaKremlinLogistics
Now, while the Russia-Mali love fest isn't exactly breaking new ground in trade volumes, logistics are where things are getting staggy! With agreements signed during Goita's visit to Moscow last year, the two countries are strengthening their bond in logistics, digging deeper into geological exploration, natural resources, energy, and humanitarian projects. And that's not all: these agreements also established an Intergovernmental Commission to oversee cooperation in trade, economy, technology, and science, effectively streamlining logistics coordination and development.
All this activity comes after the Wagner bods bounced from the scene, sparking accusations of human rights violations. Finding themselves out in the cold, they were replaced by a state-controlled force, signifying a more formalized and government-level cooperation strategy between the two nations.
Key points to remember: Goita's visit birthed several significant agreements, with logistics as one of the focus areas. The withdrawing of Wagner and the emergence of the Africa Corps have paved the way for a "more mature" relationship, brimming with hope for improved trade and security collaborations in the face of increasing jihadist hostilities.
So there you have it! Goita's waltz with Putin is just the beginning of an ever-strengthening alliance between Mali and Russia. Keep an eye on these two as they continue to dance their way through the global stage!
[1] Intergovernmental Agreement for Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Mali. (2025, June). Kremlin.[2] Mali and Russia: A Strategic Partnership in the Making. (2025, June). Moscow Times.[3] Mali–Russia Relations: A Comprehensive overview. (2025, June). Council on Foreign Relations.[4] Putin welcomes Mali's Goita with open arms and plans for strategic partnership. (2025, June). RT.
- General Assimi Goita's visit to Moscow marked the beginning of a stronger relationship between Mali and Russia, as discussions focused on potential advancements in sectors like mining, energy, and logistics, a development accompanied by signed agreements for logistics coordination and exploration of natural resources.
- With Russia shoring up Mali's military against jihadist groups, political and military relations between the two nations have grown stronger, as evidenced by the withdrawal of Wagner mercenaries and their replacement by the state-controlled Africa Corps, a move signifying a more formalized partnership that has sparked debates over human rights concerns.
