Mali and Senegal are reinforcing their partnership beyond political divisions within ECOWAS, prioritizing practical cooperation.
A key initiative in this collaboration is the launch of joint border patrols on February 20, 2025, in Diboli, near Kayes, aimed at countering the rising threat from the jihadist group JNIM.
These patrols, involving Senegal’s Military Zone No. 4 and GARSI, build on previous joint operations with Mauritania in 2024 and align with a 2021 military cooperation agreement.
Beyond security, economic and diplomatic ties are also expanding.
The Dakar-Bamako trade corridor remains critical, with Mali accounting for over half of Senegal’s African exports in 2022. High-profile visits, including Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s trip to Mali in 2024, and environmental initiatives, such as pollution control measures for the Falémé River, further solidify relations.
Despite Mali’s exit from ECOWAS in January 2025, cooperation persists, with Senegal playing a mediating role in regional affairs while both countries engage in humanitarian efforts like free medical consultations for border communities.
