Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will embark on a two-day visit to Mali this week, as the two nations aim to strengthen their defence and security ties. The Malian foreign ministry announced the visit on Sunday and emphasized the significance of the visit in a statement.
“This high-level visit is in line with the political choice made by the Transitional Government to expand and diversify strategic partnerships,” the Malian foreign ministry stated. “Lavrov's visit shows the firm will of the Malian and Russian heads of state to give new impetus to the relations of friendship and bilateral cooperation … in priority areas, in particular defence and security.”
Lavrov's visit to Bamako marks the first official visit by a Russian foreign minister to the West African nation. The visit reflects Moscow's increasing focus on expanding its presence on the African continent as it continues to have strained relations with Western powers over its invasion of Ukraine.
Since the 2020 coup in Mali, the ruling military junta has leaned towards Moscow and has worked with Russian mercenaries to combat an Islamist insurgency, despite facing criticism from neighbouring countries and Western nations over its election delays.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised Mali last year to strengthen cooperation to root out the militants, who are linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, and to provide shipments of fuel, fertilizer, and food worth around $100 million.
However, Mali's growing ties with Russia have also led to a breakdown in its relationship with France, the former colonial power. This led to the withdrawal of all French troops from the country that had been battling militants since 2013.
Last Tuesday, U.N. experts called for an independent investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Malian government forces and the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group. Mali has maintained that Russian forces in the country are not mercenaries, but trainers assisting local troops with equipment purchased from Russia.
Lavrov is currently in Baghdad, where he is discussing ways to improve bilateral ties and energy cooperation.
