Al-Akhbar (Bamako) – Mali’s Prime Minister Shugul Koukala Maiga said that the “security picture” in his country “has changed on the ground due to cooperation with Russia,” adding that Moscow is “a reliable partner, but it is not the only partner” for Mali, “it has other partners.”
In an interview with Al-Jazeera TV, Shugel considered that the Western concern about the presence of the Russian “Wagner” group in Mali is “illegitimate,” noting that his country’s priority is “limited to establishing security and peace.”
Kokala Maiga indicated that his country wants to “solve its problems and give life to its people, and does not want to drag itself into matters that do not belong to it,” stressing that “Russia does not need money.”
On relations with Paris, Mali’s prime minister said that Mali has “accurate information and evidence that some terrorists were in contact with France,” adding that during the French presence, “terrorism was not defeated and the Malian authorities did not regain control over the entire country.”
Maiga highlighted that France wanted to “impose” on Mali what it does and believes, indicating that “the era has passed,” and that Paris did not like the arrival of the new government.
The Prime Minister of Mali confirmed that France withdrew its forces, after Mali told it to reject its “dictates”, adding that: “The French thought that we would beg them to keep their forces in our country, but we did not care about the step.”
Maiga called on the French authorities to “change its system in dealing with African peoples,” stressing that Mali has 3 principles, which are countries’ respect for their sovereignty, not to dictate to them, and to have a free choice.
