Abdoulaye Diop says Russia is strengthening Mali’s army
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
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.
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop says the partnership with Russia has strengthened the Malian army and enabled it to regain the initiative on the ground. He spoke in an interview with African Initiative after the Russia-Africa summit held in Moscow on 28 and 29 October 2026, La Nouvelle Tribune reports.
Abdoulaye Diop says the equipment obtained through cooperation with Moscow has increased the operational capabilities and combativeness of Malian forces. He paid tribute to Malian and Russian soldiers killed in combat, while acknowledging that attacks persist and that the threat is evolving.
The minister says Malian defence and security forces are now «on the offensive» and that the state exercises its sovereignty across the entire territory. He also defended regional cooperation with Burkina Faso and Niger within the AES, an alliance of the three Sahelian countries, saying that one state cannot face the threat alone.
The statements follow exchanges at the Moscow summit, where Malian President Assimi Goïta presented Bamako’s priorities and defended its military autonomy. Goïta detailed four Malian priorities and defended Mali’s military autonomy on 30 October 2026.
