Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goita, arrived in Moscow on Sunday, June 22, for a State visit aimed at strengthening ties with Russia amid a worsening insurgency at home.
Since taking power through successive coups in 2020 and 2021, Goita has distanced Mali from its traditional Western allies, particularly France, and aligned more closely with Moscow. The visit comes on the heels of the announced withdrawal of the Wagner paramilitary group from Mali, to be replaced by its successor, Africa Corps—another symbol of Russia’s expanding footprint on the continent.
General Goita is scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin during his visit, which runs through June 26 and will focus on cooperation in security, energy, and transport. Mali has grappled with jihadist violence since 2012, with recent weeks marked by a surge in attacks on army installations and checkpoints. While the Kremlin denies formal ties to Wagner, both Wagner and Africa Corps are seen as instruments of Russian influence. Goita’s trip underscores Bamako’s deepening reliance on Russia as it seeks support to confront escalating insecurity and assert military dominance across the country.