MOSCOW -Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned probably supplying meals, fertilisers and gasoline to Mali in a cellphone name with the African nation’s interim chief Assimi Goita on Wednesday, in accordance with a Kremlin assertion.
Goita stated on Twitter the 2 leaders talked about Russia’s help for Mali’s political transition.
Goita’s junta got here to energy in a coup two years in the past and has sparred repeatedly with neighbouring international locations and Western powers over election delays, alleged military abuses and cooperation with Russian mercenaries in its combat towards an Islamist insurgency.
The West African nation has deepened its Soviet-era ties to Russia as its relationship soured this 12 months with its long-time ally and former colonial ruler, France.
“We mentioned the help of the Russian Federation for Mali’s political transition and I praised the standard of our partnership, which respects the sovereignty of #Mali and the aspirations of its inhabitants,” Goita tweeted.
France introduced in February it was pulling its troops out of Mali after practically a decade there combating insurgents, some with hyperlinks to al Qaeda and Islamic State, which have since unfold throughout the Sahel area.
Fighters from the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-linked non-public army firm, have been supporting the Malian military in its combat since late final 12 months.
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