Mali’s military junta has accepted a delivery of military aircraft and helicopters from Russia, which is increasing its influence over the country, straining relations between Bamako and its hitherto Western partners.
Mali, which has distanced itself from France, has staged a rapprochement with its new ally, including the deployment of mercenaries from the Wagner Group, owned by an oligarch close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Malian Armed Forces confirmed in a statement that the handover of the aircraft took place on Thursday at Modibo Keita International Airport, an event attended by junta leader and current transitional president Assimi Goita.
Bamako has received Sukhoi-25 type fighters, Albatros L-39 attack and surveillance aircraft and Mi-8 helicopters. «These acquisitions of aerial delivery vehicles will contribute to increasing the capabilities of the Armed Forces,» they stressed in the above-mentioned communiqué.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Defense and Veterans, Sadio Camara, stressed that «the rise of a nation to sovereignty is not limited to speeches, but to a long process of commitment and patriotism», before stressing that «modernizing the Army is not a luxury, but a necessity».
«A strong and modern army is a must when it comes to providing security to its population and gains luster on the international scene,» he said, while warning of «new forms of insecurity and multiform wars,» amid the jihadist threat to the African country.
Mali and the rest of the Sahel countries have experienced an upsurge in violence, both jihadist from groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as inter-community violence, which has led France and the G5 Sahel countries – which the Malian junta left in 2022 – to increase their operations.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
