Off the shores of the country, Mali’s military strongman, General Assimi Goita, has told Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow that he wants to reinforce ties with the Kremlin, a key supporter of the West African country’s battle against insurgency.
Under the general, who came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali has steered away from its former colonial master, France, mainly in favour of closer ties with Moscow.
Goita’s days-long visit comes as Mali struggles to contain the country’s long-running insurgent threat.
The general, who arrived in Moscow on Sunday and is meant to stay most of the week, on Monday said he wanted to expand cooperation in defence, transport, and the economy.
Russia has for years sought to expand its influence in Africa, in particular through the rise of mercenaries sponsored by the Kremlin.
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