Mali: Abdoulaye Diop discusses the impact of cooperation with Russia on the army

Following the Russia-Africa summit held in Moscow on October 28 and 29, 2026, Mali’s foreign minister, Abdoulaye Diop, told African Initiative that the partnership with Moscow had strengthened the Malian army and helped it regain the initiative on the ground. He praised Malian and Russian soldiers killed in combat and pointed to equipment acquired through the cooperation. Diop said Malian forces are now on the offensive and that the state exercises sovereignty across the country, despite continued attacks. He also emphasized Mali’s security cooperation with Burkina Faso and Niger within the AES, saying no single country can confront the threat alone.