Assimi Goïta travels to Moscow for Russia-Africa Summit

Malian Transitional President Assimi Goïta departed Bamako on Sunday, October 25, 2026, for Moscow to attend the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit. Scheduled for October 28 and 29, the summit was hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and aims to strengthen relations between Russia and various African nations.

Goïta is accompanied by several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga, National Transition Council President Malick Diaw, Minister of Economy and Finance Alousséni Sanou, and Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.

This visit follows Goïta’s first official bilateral trip to Russia in June 2025. The summit provides a platform for Mali to discuss cooperation priorities, specifically regarding security, defense, and economic development, as the country seeks to diversify its international partnerships.