Mali Accepts Russian Warplanes

The Malian government has taken delivery of warplanes and helicopters from Russia.

This comes as Moscow deepens its involvement in the country.

Report says the military regime in Mali has become reliant on its new ally, which has deployed mercenaries from the Wagner group, since breaking ties with France.

Russia has also been accused of becoming involved in another African nation, Eswatini, though Moscow’s ambassador, Alexander Surikov has denied reports it is training security officers.

He said it was just scholarships for military education.

Meanwhile, report says the troops are doing little of the fighting against the Islamist insurgency, and appear to be concentrating on securing Mali’s mineral resources for exploitation.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere