Russia, Mali sign new cooperation deals 

Russia signed a series of agreements with Mali to strengthen trade and economic ties, including a key deal on nuclear energy cooperation.

The deals were sealed during Malian junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita’s visit to Moscow, where he held a two-hour meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.

Putin said bilateral relations were improving despite modest current trade volumes, pointing to future collaboration in geology, energy, logistics, and humanitarian sectors.

The nuclear energy agreement builds on previous discussions around constructing a Russian-designed low-power nuclear plant in Mali. Earlier this month, Mali also began building a Russian-backed gold refinery aimed at boosting control over its natural resources.

Mali, a leading gold producer in Africa, lacks a globally certified refinery. Goita, who seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has increasingly relied on Russian support after expelling French and UN forces. While Wagner forces announced a withdrawal from Mali, Russia’s African Corps remains active in the country.

Attribution: Reuters
Subediting: M. S. Salama