Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has arrived in Mali for talks with the military leadership of the country.
Mr Lavrov, who was in Iraq on Monday, was welcomed on arrival by his counterpart Abdoulaye Diop and did not make any statement to journalists.
The Russian minister is expected to hold talks with the country’s interim president, Assimi Goïta and the foreign affairs minister.
The Russian news agency Tass said the two sides would discuss issues of co-operation – including military ties and the shipment of Russian grain, fertiliser and oil products to Mali.
The talks will also touch on issues about the war in Ukraine and on tackling terrorism in the Sahel region.
This is Mr Lavrov’s second trip to Africa in two weeks – after touring South Africa, Angola, Eswatini and Eritrea in January.
Russia’s influence in Mali has steadily increased since the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries in December 2021.
Source BBC