China is helping us to defeat terrorism, says Mali’s Foreign Minister: GSW Exclusive
Chinese military equipment is helping Malian forces win the war against terrorists, foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop told Global South World.
For more than a decade, the country has been embroiled in a bloody conflict against groups affiliated with al Qaeda and ISIS. Diop said they had now reopened access to the entire country as a result of increasing military spending to a quarter of the government budget.
After throwing out French troops and the end of a United Nations operation in the country, Mali has looked to new allies to support it.
“I think the military success that we have on the ground has been possible. Also, thanks. The partnership we have with China, which also allows us to access key military equipments to be able to conduct this fight,” Diop said.
Diop also said he welcomed the Chinese investment that he hoped would increase as security continued to improve.
Some analysts have questioned Mali’s claims to be gaining the upper hand in the conflict as attacks on troops and civilians continue.
Watch the full interview here:
