Russia, Mali reaffirm strengthening security cooperation in Sahel

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Oct 2022 20:09
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Mali is one of the countries in the Sahel region most affected by terrorist attacks.

Malians demonstrate against France and in support of Russia on the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Mali in 1960, in Bamako, Mali Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 (AP Photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the interim Malian President, Assimi Goita, in a telephone conversation, reaffirmed their intentions to strengthen security cooperation to eradicate terrorist groups in the Sahel region, according to the Kremlin.

"The parties confirmed mutual commitment to further strengthen Russian-Malian security cooperation to eradicate terrorist groups across Mali," the Kremlin's statement read.

Mali is one of the countries in the Sahel region most affected by terrorist attacks.

Earlier in September, nearly 50 people were killed after ISIS-affiliated jihadists mounted an attack on a village in northern Mali, according to AFP.

According to sources, the raid was followed by intense fighting between them and other armed groups, including Al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadists.

"More than 45 civilians were killed when the Islamic State took over (on Tuesday) -- they burned down houses, the market and other places," the official said.

Mali has been under threat from terrorists since 2012 and has witnessed two military coups since 2020.

Colonels angry at the government's handling of the long-running insurgency seized power in August 2020, then carried out another coup in May the following year.

The junta that came to power in August 2020 has had sharp tensions with France, which had sent troops to its former colony in what many saw as a bid to still have a foothold in the country.

The Malian people have a profound sentiment of resentment toward France due to its failure to achieve any tangible achievements in terms of the country's security, political instability, and economic issues in the last ten years.

The leaders of Mali and Burkina Faso recently met on September 4 to strengthen their military cooperation.

Burkina Faso's Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba and Mali's Colonel Assimi Goita agreed to "better examine and strengthen" the military partnership between the two countries.

"The two countries... intend to pool their efforts in the fight against terrorism," the statement said.