This mission, described as a “friendship and working visit”, has the main objective of strengthening bilateral relations between Mali and Sudan, two countries facing similar political and security challenges.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Transitional President of the Republic of Sudan, arrived this Saturday, January 11, 2025 in Bamako, the Malian capital, for a 48-hour official visit.
Welcomed when he got off the plane by his Malian counterpart, General Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition of Mali, the Sudanese head of state will begin a series of meetings and strategic discussions. The two leaders, placed at the head of transitional governments following major internal crises, intend to use this visit to share their respective experiences in managing the political transition and national stabilization.
Mali and Sudan share a recent history marked by political instability, military coups and armed insurgencies. Since 2012, Mali has been facing a deep security crisis linked to the rise of jihadist groups and community militias in the north and center of the country.
For its part, Sudan has been plunged into a civil war since April 2023, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (FAS), led by General al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (FSR) of General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as “Hemetti “. This conflict, characterized by extreme violence, has resulted in thousands of deaths and massive population displacements, worsening an already critical humanitarian crisis.
In this context, security cooperation is at the top of the agenda for this visit. The two heads of state aim to coordinate their efforts to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing their respective countries. Bilateral agreements could be signed in this area, with particular emphasis on information sharing and strategies to combat transnational armed groups.
The main axes of Mali-Sudan cooperation
The main axes of Mali-Sudan cooperation during this visit will focus on three key areas. On the security front, the two States, faced with armed insurgencies and terrorist threats, intend to intensify their military collaboration through the sharing of information and the development of common strategies against cross-border insecurity. On the economic front, discussions are planned to explore partnerships in the energy, mining and agriculture sectors, given the considerable natural resources of the two countries. Finally, the cultural dimension will occupy an important place, with the desire to strengthen exchanges in the fields of culture, education and research, by highlighting their rich common historical heritage.
The similarity of political trajectories
This visit demonstrates striking similarities between the recent trajectories of the two countries. Both Mali and Sudan experienced military coups resulting in transitional regimes led by military leaders. These transitions have been marked by similar challenges: a quest for political legitimacy, the need to restore security, and international pressure to hold democratic elections.
However, the contexts differ on several points. While Mali benefits from some regional support from its West African neighbors, Sudan remains diplomatically isolated, notably due to the persistence of the conflict between the forces of General al-Burhan and those of his rival “Hemetti “.
MD/ac/APA
