The Russian ambassador to Mali, Igor Gromyko, has met with Brigadier General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, Mali's Minister of Security and Civil Protection, in Bamako on October 2, according to a press release from the Malian Ministry of Security and Civil Protection.
The meeting focused on bolstering bilateral security cooperation, with particular emphasis on the delivery of military equipment purchased from Russia, the ministry said.
According to the press release, Ambassador Gromyko conveyed a "very important message" from Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
Mali attaches great importance to the delivery of military equipment purchased from Russia and is "very interested" in acquiring new ones, the head of Malian diplomacy had previously revealed.
According to Abdoulaye Diop, military-technical cooperation with Russia began at the initiative of his country, as France was unable to provide reliable support for the Malian army.