On October 27, the Malian Minister of Economy and Finance, Alousseni Sanou, with a large delegation including many technicians, arrived in the capital of the Russian Federation, Moscow. The purpose of this visit by the Malian minister is to conduct negotiations on a number of economic sectors with Russian technical officials.
Relations between Mali and Russia are strengthening every day. The Transition authorities of Mali have repeatedly noted that the Russian-Malian partnership is mutually beneficial, win-win, which is already bearing fruit. It is also important that it is an equal partnership with respect for the sovereignty of Mali.
Since the Malian authorities turned to Russia with a request for assistance in resolving security issues in the country, the parties have taken various initiatives to expand and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in other areas, such as the humanitarian field, education, economy, energy, industry and others.
Russia has repeatedly proven that it is a reliable partner for Mali, ready to provide assistance in the difficult times the country is going through. Thus, a few days ago, Russia announced its readiness to provide the world with the necessary amount of food, due to the situation of world food crisis, and the fact that Ukrainian cereals, intended for poor countries and needy, were actually delivered to European countries (Italy, Spain, Netherlands). Countries in need have received only 3% of these supplies, which is an extremely small and insufficient amount. Russia plans to provide free over the next 4 months to poor countries up to 500,000 tons of grain, with the participation of a reliable partner which is Turkey. And of course, Mali is one of these countries, being a partner country and friend of its Russian ally. In addition, Russia is ready to completely replace Ukrainian grain and make deliveries at affordable prices to all interested countries. Russia plans to provide over the next 4 months to poor countries up to 500,000 tons of cereals for free, with the participation of a reliable partner, which is Turkey. And of course, Mali is one of these countries, being a partner and friend of its Russian ally. In addition, Russia is ready to completely replace Ukrainian cereals and make deliveries at affordable prices to all interested countries.
Previously, in May 2022, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also confirmed Russia’s intention to conscientiously fulfill its obligations in the context of the export of food and other goods to Africa in order to provide the African continent with the essential food crops. These are the export of foodstuffs, fertilizers, energy products and other products that Africa urgently needs.
Furthermore, in addition to cooperation in the humanitarian and food sectors, cooperation is also developing in the field of energy. Thus, at the beginning of October 2022, it became known that Russia was preparing around 30 energy projects for Africa, which aim to provide access to affordable and clean energy. This was announced on October 12 by the head of the international cooperation department of the Russian Ministry of Energy, Dmitry Semenov. These 30 projects will be proposed in 2023 at the second Russia-Africa Summit.
Russia intends to continue to provide all its support to Mali. In turn, the Malian authorities and the Malian people fully support the pursuit of fruitful cooperation with Russia in various fields. For Mali, Russia remains a reliable partner without colonial ulterior motives.
