Moscow Sees 'Positive & Encouraging' Developments in Mali, Says MFA Official
Moscow Sees 'Positive & Encouraging' Developments in Mali, Says MFA Official
There's progress on security and diplomatic fronts in Mali, Anatoliy Bashkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Sub-Saharan Africa, told Russian media, citing the unblocking of military garrisons and improving relations with Algeria.
Key points from the diplomat:
🟠Security gains: The Russian Africa Corps, working alongside the Malian army, has helped unblock military bases in Anéfis from terrorist and other settlements.
🟠Diplomatic progress: Ambassadors are set to return and airspace will reopen following a diplomatic crisis triggered by the downing of a Malian drone on an anti‑terrorist mission in April 2025, during which Bamako accused Algiers of backing Tuareg jihadist groups in the north.
🟠Prospects for negotiations: Bashkin expressed hope for a Malian-Algerian negotiation process that could lead to "compromise solutions on the status of the Tuaregs while preserving Mali's territorial integrity."
The positive assessment follows the large‑scale militant attack on April 25, which was repelled with support from the Africa Corps.
In the video, an Africa Corps drone targets a terrorist vehicle near Anéfis.
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