By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bénin Web TV
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop defends maintaining the free movement of people and goods between the Alliance of Sahel States, which brings together Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and ECOWAS. In an interview published on 31 October by African Initiative, he also calls for trust to be restored and cooperation between the two organisations to continue.
Malian President Assimi Goïta received a delegation from the Confederation of Sahel States in Moscow on 29 October 2026, led by Burkina Faso’s prime minister and Niger’s foreign minister. Discussions focused on consolidating the alliance, diplomatic coordination and strengthening the strategic partnership with Russia, according to Bamada.net and Alwihda Info.
🇲🇱 Mali · Source: Bamada.net ·
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop says military cooperation with Russia has strengthened the Malian army’s equipment and operational capabilities. He says Malian forces are now on the offensive and that the state exercises its authority across the entire territory, in an interview with African Initiative after the Russia-Africa summit.
🇲🇱 Mali · Source: La Nouvelle Tribune ·
At the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, Mali’s transitional president Assimi Goïta argued on 29 October for partnerships based on sovereignty, equality between states and non-interference. He also defended an Africa able to set its priorities and choose its partners, according to a report published by Bamada.net.
🇲🇱 Mali · Source: Bamada.net ·
Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga received Ghana’s new defence attaché, Umar Sanda Ahmed, in Bamako, who reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to facilitating Mali’s access to the ports of Tema and Takoradi. The two officials also discussed cooperation against terrorist threats and respect for sovereignty, according to Mali Actu.
🇲🇱 Mali · Source: Mali Actu ·
Goïta asks Russia for intelligence and surveillance toolsMali’s transitional president Assimi Goïta asked Russia to share intelligence and provide equipment to monitor Malian territory. He also wants to open cybersecurity cooperation, although no agreement was announced during his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 30 October 2026, according to La Nouvelle Tribune and Bénin Web TV. The requests were made on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa summit, according to Bénin Web TV.
Benin tests its response to maritime crises in the Gulf of GuineaBenin is taking part in Grand African Nemo 2026, a multinational maritime security exercise launched in Cotonou on 28 October, with simulations involving rescue, illegal trafficking and pollution. The programme also includes oil-pollution response training from 2 to 4 November and a mock trial on 5 November, according to Bénin Web TV.The week in Africa
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