Little by little: the country will continue to buy Russian weapons to fight terrorists
Mali will continue to purchase Russian weapons to fight terrorists in the country, Aliou Tunkara, a member of the Parliament of the republic, told Izvestia. Jihadists in Mali have been attacking fuel trucks bound for the capital Bamako since September. According to Western media, the city is experiencing fuel shortages and power outages. However, deputies and journalists in Mali claim that the situation on earth is the opposite of the picture that the Western media paints. The country's army controls large settlements, and Russian specialists are helping it cope with the militants. About the propaganda of foreign media and why the situation in Mali remains controlled, in the Izvestia article.
The Foreign Minister denied Western publications about the "semi-siege" of Bamako
In early November, the African Union issued a call for "urgent international action" over the blockade of vital supplies bound for Mali. Since September, the Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal Muslimeen (JNIM) group affiliated with al-Qaeda (banned in Russia) has been attacking trucks carrying fuel from Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire into the country.
According to media reports, on November 10, terrorists attacked a military post in the Timbuktu region. As a result of the attack, several dozen Malian soldiers were killed.
To continue the fight against the militants, Mali continues to purchase Russian weapons, Aliu Tunkara, a member of parliament, told Izvestia.
— The supply of weapons is an ongoing process, because Mali has made a choice in favor of strengthening its security, first of all. The provision of weapons is a constant thing, it goes on regularly, as planned and, of course, in a confidential mode," he said.
In parallel, the country hosts the international Defense and security salon in the Sahel, BAMEX’25. Bamako, the capital of Mali, has been chosen as the venue. On the sidelines of the forum, Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop gave an interview in which he denied Western publications about the "semi-siege" of the city.
In particular, the Associated Press, Reuters and The Guardian reported that the situation in the country is getting out of control, and the actions of the militants are hitting the image of the authorities. According to these media reports, more than 100 fuel trucks have been destroyed on the roads since the beginning of September, as a result of which gasoline prices have skyrocketed, and power outages have been observed in the country.
The situation on earth does not coincide with how Western media describe it, Gleb Hervier, a correspondent for the African Initiative news agency, who is in the country, told Izvestia.
— There is a continuing shortage of fuel and electricity in Bamako, but the situation has improved since the beginning of the crisis. There is significantly more traffic on the streets now than there was two or three weeks ago. The reality does not match the way the Western media describe what is happening, which is understandable: their position was initially formed as part of an information campaign to discredit the government, the Russian presence and an attempt to bring people to the streets with the aim of a coup. In fact, we don't see anything like this," he said.
Tunkara confirms this. According to him, the fuel shortage in the country is more psychological. People are starting to buy in reserve, which leads to a shortage of gasoline already at gas stations.
— Now there is a shortage of fuel, but it is more psychological. In fact, everyone pays, everyone moves around, but people say to themselves, "Suddenly there won't be enough," and they start buying and storing some [gasoline] at home. Because of this, queues appear at gas stations. In fact, there have been no attacks for at least a week. On the contrary, the army is catching up with these people (the militants. — "Izvestia"), — said the deputy.
In many ways, the issue of fuel shortages in the country is artificially inflated, said Vsevolod Sviridov, Deputy director of the HSE Center for African Studies.
— We see reports of separate attacks on fuel trucks and blocking of convoys. Reports from French media and companies about the cessation of supplies and services for Mali played an important role in drawing attention to this topic. The media significantly exaggerate the crisis situation," the expert said.
We are talking about the French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM, which in early November announced to its customers the temporary suspension of road transport in Mali due to risks and fuel shortages. At the same time, after a meeting with the Ministry of Transport of Mali, he, one might say, took back his words. Work with the country continued.
In addition, the Malian authorities have concluded an additional agreement with Russia. Information about this appeared online on October 27. Moscow will supply Bamako with about 160-200 thousand tons of petroleum products and agricultural products.
How Russia is helping Mali in the fight against militants
At the same time as the arms exhibition, a delegation of the Russian Defense Ministry headed by Deputy Minister, Army General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was in the country. The delegation members held talks with President Assimi Goita and Defense Minister Sadio Camara on expanding military and military-technical cooperation and joint fight against terrorism amid the escalation in the Sahel.
— The Deputy Russian Minister of Defense was here at the Bamako arms exhibition. He met with the President of the Republic. Since Russia is a strategic partner of Mali, it will take even more decisive measures to strengthen the country's security," Tunkara said.
At the same time, according to the deputy, the Malian army is recruiting new recruits and training to respond to threats.
The JNIM terrorist group is spread all over the country. Militants are active in the central strip of Mali and in other countries - Burkina Faso and Niger.
— At the moment, unlike during the period of the French presence, the Malian army, with the support of the Russian African Corps, controls all major settlements in the country. Intelligence information is being collected, ground and air special operations are being conducted to target terrorist detachments and camps. The militants are trying to organize ambushes on the roads, but counter—ambushes are being carried out against them," said Hervier.
Western media cite the goal of JNIM as the destruction of the model of the state in Mali and the introduction of its own version of the Sharia order. At this stage, the group sets itself the task of destabilizing the situation in order to show the government's inability to protect people.
At the same time, the jihadist nature of the group should not be exaggerated, Sviridov pointed out.
— These are ordinary bandits, including criminal groups and opposition forces that have been cut off from power. They use religion as a kind of flag under which to gather people," the expert said.
The elite unit of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Afrika Korps, helps to stop the problem of militants. It operates on the territory of the country to help the Government in the fight against terrorism.
— The Afrika Korps participates in the implementation of force control in the main areas, namely in a number of strongholds in the north, east and central parts of the country. Also, at the moment, Russian military personnel are participating in an operation to ensure the safety of transportation of fuels and lubricants in the southern direction (Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire). In terms of instructional activities for units of the Malian Armed Forces, special emphasis is placed on unmanned systems and tactical and operational training of personnel," said Hervier.
No extraordinary events are taking place in Mali, Sviridov stressed. In any case, the capital of Bamako has become much safer than it was 5-10 years ago. The situation in the region is gradually stabilizing with Russian participation, the expert concluded.
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