Russian ambassador to Mali received by new Malian authorities

Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The military junta that seized power in Mali from President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Friday received the Russian ambassador to the country, Igor Gromyco, to discuss bilateral cooperation, reliable source told PANA here.

The Russian ambassador, one of the first foreign diplomats officially received by the junta, told the press: "We discussed security".

Several Malian soldiers were trained in the former USSR, now Russia, including officials of the junta currently in power in Mali.

At the rally organised by the Malian opposition in Bamako, demonstrators carried placards that read: "We want to cooperate with Russia,"; "We want Russia! "; “Putin, Putin! "; and "Since the day IBK (former president) signed a military agreement with France, Mali is fucked."

Since 2012, Mali has experienced unprecedented insecurity marked by frequent jihadist attacks, especially in the North and Centre of Mali and even in the South, despite the presence of UNAMIS, French forces Barkane and those of the G5-Sahel.

Many Malians had signed petitions for a time wishing for the presence of Russian forces in Mali and the strengthening of military cooperation in the fight against terrorism in the West African country.

-0-    PANA    GT/JSG/SOC/BBA/RA    22Aug2020