Putin, Malian president reaffirm intention to co-operate on eradicating terrorists

Mali's military strongman Assimi Goita. File picture: Francis Kokoroko/Reuters. President Vladimir Putin and interim Malian President Assimi Goita reaffirmed their intention to strengthen security cooperation to eradicate terrorist groups in Africa's Sahel region, including Mali.

Mali's military strongman Assimi Goita. File picture: Francis Kokoroko/Reuters. President Vladimir Putin and interim Malian President Assimi Goita reaffirmed their intention to strengthen security cooperation to eradicate terrorist groups in Africa's Sahel region, including Mali.

Published Oct 7, 2022

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The parties confirmed mutual commitment to further strengthen Russian-Malian security cooperation to eradicate terrorist groups across Mali, a statement read.

Mali is one of the West African countries most affected by continuous terrorist attacks. The situation was destabilised in 2012 when Tuareg militants seized vast territories in the northern part of the country. The hostilities created a favourable environment for the flourishing of terrorism. The crisis escalated even more due to activities of Islamists and forces loyal to former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi that came to Mali after the First Libyan Civil War.

Despite the presence of counter-terrorism forces, terrorist attacks have sharply increased across the country in recent years. Moreover, in 2022, France announced the completion of its counter-terrorism missions amid disagreements with the African nation's transitional government, which came to power after a military takeover in 2021. As a result, the Malian authorities turned to other countries for assistance in their fight against terrorism.

Mali’s transitional government has passed a bill to militarise the National Police and Civil Protection. On Wednesday, October 5, the Malian transitional government took a major decision, according to APA.

At the Council of Ministers meeting, chaired by Colonel Assimi Goita, a bill on the militarisation of the National Police and Civil Protection was adopted.

According to the communiqué of this weekly meeting received by APA news, this militarisation stems from “the recommendations of the National Conferences of Reformation and will allow the deployment of the National Police in areas recaptured by the Army to ensure the security of the population and their property and prevent the return of evil forces.