Independence day symbolizes a definitive end to French domination in Mali, the Russian foreign ministry has said

Russia has congratulated Mali on its Independence Day, hailing the West African nation's struggle to end more than six decades of French colonial rule.

In a statement on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled Mali's long struggle for independence, marked by brutal French repression, and noted Soviet Union's "significant support" for liberation movements that backed Bamako's sovereign path.

Mali was colonized by France in the late 19th century and incorporated into French West Africa until its independence on September 22, 1960. The French colonial authorities imposed forced labor and violently suppressed resistance, including the 1915-1917 Volta-Bani revolt in which tens of thousands of civilians were killed and villages destroyed.

"We congratulate ... the people of Mali on their Independence Day and wish them prosperity," the Russian ministry said, adding that the date symbolizes "the country's final liberation from French colonial domination."

Relations between Bamako and Paris have deteriorated in recent years after a 2021 coup, the second in less than a year. Mali's military government, along with allies in Burkina Faso and Niger, has expelled French troops and scaled back diplomatic ties with Paris, accusing it of interference in internal affairs, supporting rebels behind a deadly insurgency in the Sahel region, and undermining sovereignty.

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The Sahel state has, however, been strengthening cooperation with Russia in areas including the economy, politics and security. The country's leader Assimi Goita has had frequent contacts with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

On Monday, Moscow notes the "large-scale" assistance provided to Mali by the Soviet Union in the early years of independence, after diplomatic ties were established in 1960 laid a "solid foundation" for "actively developing" modern bilateral relations.

"More than 100 facilities were built, including a cement plant, a 25,000-seat stadium in Bamako, the Gabriel Toure Hospital, educational institutions, the Kalana gold mining enterprise, and an airfield in Gao," the ministry said.

Figures from the ministry show that Mali received more than 90,000 tons of aid from Russia in 2023 and 2024, including 50,000 tons of wheat, 22,000 tons of fertilizer, 17,000 tons of diesel and 117 tons of sunflower oil.