The Kremlin assured this Thursday that its forces will not abandon Bamako, describing their stay as a "necessity" to combat extremism. Moscow's statement comes at a complex time for the Malian military junta, after the death of the Defense Minister in an attack and a lightning offensive by Tuareg and jihadist groups that has put Russian influence in the Sahel in check.

First modification: 04/30/2026 - 12:48 Last modification: 05/01/2026 - 02:20

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Tuareg rebels apparently want the Russian contingent to abandon its support for the ruling military junta in Mali; However, the Kremlin declared this Thursday that its forces will remain in the country to help the Government combat the insurgency.

"Russia's presence there is, in fact, due to the need identified by the current government. Russia will continue, including in Mali, to combat extremism, terrorism and other harmful phenomena, and will continue to provide assistance to the current government," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Peskov made this clarification after being consulted about an alleged statement from the insurgents in which they stated that the military junta would not survive long without Moscow's support.

This tension arises after a surprise offensive by Al Qaeda's West African affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group.

The situation on the ground is critical: last weekend, Mali's Russian-trained Defense Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a suicide attack. At the same time, Russia's Africa Corps was forced to withdraw from Kidal, a strategic city captured with the help of Russian mercenaries in 2023. To contain the rebel advance, Moscow has had to resort to the use of helicopter gunships and strategic bombers.

According to political analysts, these events have undermined Russia's image as the self-proclaimed guarantor of security in Africa, putting its strategic and economic interests on the continent at risk.

News in development...

With Reuters

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