The head of the Malian government, General Abdoulaye Maïga, received the new ambassadors of Iran and China in separate courtesy visits marking their official assumption of duty in Bamako.
Talks with Iran’s ambassador, Mahmoud Khani Jooyabad, focused on strengthening political, security, and technological cooperation.
The Iranian diplomat expressed interest in revitalizing ties with Mali and the Confederation of Sahel States, including the possible creation of a joint commission to structure projects in defense, security, and technology transfer.
Malian authorities reiterated their readiness to work with partners they consider respectful of national sovereignty.
The meeting with China’s ambassador, Li Xiang, took place within an already established framework.
In September 2024, bilateral relations were elevated to a strategic partnership during high-level talks in Beijing.
Cooperation spans infrastructure, agriculture, health, and security, while military ties between the two countries date back to the 1970s.
These diplomatic engagements occur as Mali continues to diversify its alliances following the reconfiguration of relations with several Western partners since 2022, including the withdrawal of French forces and the scaling back of certain European deployments.
