How Mali's big bet on Russia is backfiring | Mapped Out

Major attacks by jihadist group JNIM and separatist Tuareg rebels have rocked Mali. The West African country's military ruler, Assimi Goïta, is clinging on to power as violence and insecurity spread. US President Donald Trump has threatened to get involved and conduct airstrikes.

Under Goïta, Mali has turned away from its former colonial power, France, and sought help from Russia. Goïta and Russian President Vladimir Putin seem to have developed a personal friendship. Mali has had longstanding connections with Russia and previously to the Soviet Union following its independence from France in 1960. Mali now leans on Africa Corps, formerly the Wagner Group — a group of Russian mercenaries linked to the Russian Ministry of Defense — for support. Yet those mercenaries are proving no match for the jihadist groups and separatist rebels who are gaining ground and want to bring down the military junta. Goïta’s regime is in danger — and perhaps his life too. So why is he still betting on Russia and why is Moscow so keen to stick around in Mali?

It seems the Kremlin and Goïta’s military junta have different agendas. And there’s a deeper problem: foreign military interventions have not solved Mali’s terrorism issues. So Mali must look elsewhere for solutions.

Meanwhile, Sahel neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger are also struggling with jihadist insurgencies. There, too, military juntas have swept to power and turned to Russia.

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#Mali #Russia #Sahel #dwgeopolitics #mappedout

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