TheSoviet Union recognised the independence of Mali on 7 July 1960, anddiplomatic relations between the two states were established on 14 October 1960.[1] Following the collapse of theMali Federation, and due toFrench support forSenegal,Modibo Keïta, the firstPresident of Mali, sought closer ties with the Soviet Union.[2] In 1961 the two countries signed trade and cultural pacts,[3] and the Soviet Union granted Mali loans and other aid,[2] which included the acquisition of twoIlyushin Il-18passenger aircraft forAir Mali.[4][5] Under the cultural agreement Russia sent circus performers, sports coaches and a soccer team to Mali.[6]
When Keïta was overthrown byMoussa Traoré by acoup d'état in 1968, Traoré improved relations withFrance and other Western countries, but Mali remained dependent on the Soviet Union for the arming and training of theMalian Armed Forces. Approximately 50 Sovietmilitary advisors provided armour, artillery and parachute training to Mali's military, and trained all of Mali's pilots.[7] The Soviets also improved the Malian Air Force base inMopti, and occasionally used Malian airfields to stage supply flights for groups it supported inAngola.[7]
Mercenaries from the Russianprivate military companyWagner Group began arriving in Mali in late 2021,[14] followed by Russian military equipment donations and advisors throughout 2022 and 2023.[15][16] In November 2022, Minister of Economy and FinanceAlousséni Sanou [fi] said Russia was committed to send 60,000 tonnes of petroleum products, 30,000 tonnes of fertiliser and 25,000 tonnes of wheat, for a total worth of around $100 million.[17]
On September 27, 2024, Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of MaliAbdoulaye Diop signed a statement on non-deployment of weapons inspace.[21]
In 2003, meetings were held by Alexander Makarenko, Director of the Africa Department of theRussian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with N. L. Traoré, Secretary General of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali.[22] In 2005 Anatoly Safonov, the Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in the Fight Against Terrorism and Cross-Border Organized Crime, met from 25 January 2005 through 28 January 2005 inBamako with his Malian counterpart.[23]
Russia has anembassy inBamako, and Mali has an embassy inMoscow. The current Russian ambassador to Mali isIgor Gromyko [ru], since 17 June 2019.[24] The current Malian ambassador to Russia is Seydou Kamissoko, who was nominated on 24 May 2023.[25]
^abBingen, R. James; Robinson, David; Staatz, John M. (2000). "From Military Dictatorship to Democracy".Democracy and development in Mali. Clark, Andrew F. MSU Press. pp. 255–256.ISBN0-87013-560-0. Retrieved17 July 2009.
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