MALI’S military junta has entered into a significant defence agreement with Chinese arms manufacturer Norinco, marking a new chapter in the country’s military strategy. The deal, finalised on Monday in Beijing, was signed by Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara and Norinco’s chief executive, in the presence of Mali’s interim president and military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita.
The agreement will see China providing Mali with advanced military equipment, training, and technology transfers, crucial for enhancing the West African nation’s defence capabilities. As part of his visit, Col. Goita toured Norinco’s facilities, inspecting military hardware, including drones and armoured vehicles, which are expected to bolster Mali’s fight against insurgent groups within its borders.
Camara highlighted the significance of this partnership, particularly noting that Norinco had delivered equipment to Mali even before payment was secured, a gesture he said Mali would not forget. This collaboration comes at a time when Mali has faced sanctions from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, further isolating the country from traditional Western allies following the 2020 military coup.
In addition to the defence pact, Col. Goita met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where the two leaders agreed to elevate China-Mali relations to a strategic partnership. This alliance signals a shift in Mali’s international relations, as it strengthens ties with non-Western powers amidst growing regional tensions in the Sahel.
The deal is part of a broader strategy by Mali’s junta to secure military and economic support from allies like China, especially after forming a new confederation with fellow military-led nations Burkina Faso and Niger, distancing themselves from the ECOWAS bloc.
