Mali Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Russia’s Influence Operations in Mali: Strategic Assessment

Russia and China are increasingly using ideological influence as a weapon — not only through disinformation but by building alternative narratives to counter the Western-led information order. In Africa, Russia is experimenting with deep…

May 16, 2025Mali, Russia

Coup Democracy Governance

Mali Junta Leader Gets Backing to Serve as President Until 2030

In a move that further entrenches military rule in Mali, the junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita has secured political support to remain in power as president until 2030. This development…

May 6, 2025Mali

Democracy Geopolitics Governance

From Transition to Tenure: Niger’s Military Government Digs In and the Future of West Africa’s Juntas

Niger's junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has been sworn in for an additional five-year transition period. Per his previous statements, this transition was expected to conclude this year, leading to…

March 27, 2025Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

Geopolitics Governance

Self-promotion in Mali and rapprochement in Niger: signs of domestic differences in junta-led states

Asimi Goita, (the junta leader of Mali since 2021) promoted himself and assumed the special title of "supreme" commander of the "land army". He went further to promote five other…

October 31, 2024Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sahel

War crimes

Russian Military Crimes in Mali Highlight Propensity for Sadism and Atrocities by Russian Expeditionary Groups

Russia continues to commit war crimes on the African continent. We previously analyzed numerous incidents of violence, extrajudicial killings, and rapes perpetrated by Wagner Group mercenaries in the Central African…

August 6, 2024Mali, Russia, Wagner Group

Democracy War crimes

The worsening insurgency and insecurity in Mali

One of the major reasons the junta in Bamako gave for taking power from civilian rulers was the worsening insurgency and insecurity in Mali. According to them, and other coup makers…

March 29, 2024Mali, Wagner Group

Geopolitics

Military juntas’ confederation project may be orchestrated in Moscow

As part of its colonialist policy in Africa, Russia has launched the process of creating a puppet Confederation project involving Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Therefore, by using its control over…

March 11, 2024Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

Democracy Geopolitics Governance Intelligence ops

Africa seeing Russian interference in national legislation shape-up

Some African nations are being subjected to external meddling on the system of constitutional order as part of Russia’s colonial policy in countries that were once in the zone of…

June 16, 2023France, Mali, Russia, Wagner Group

Terrorism

Nature Reserves Provide a Strategic Advantage for Insurgents in Benin

Northern Benin is at the center of a security crisis which has moved south from the Sahel. Poverty and climate change have provided fertile ground for criminals and extremists. In…

December 15, 2022Benin, jihadism, Mali, terrorism

Must Read PDF

Wagner Group’s Playbook in Africa: Mali

The paper was published by The Foreign Policy Research Institute in March, 2022. Since it rose to prominence after its involvement in the Syrian Civil War alongside the Assad regime, Wagner…

May 18, 2022Mali, Wagner Group

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