Moscow views the policy statements of the new leadership of Mali as a positive signal for the settlement in the country and will continue to provide comprehensive support to Bamako, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said a briefing on Thursday.
As the diplomat recalled, in his inaugural speech after taking office on June 7, Mali's transitional president Assimi Goita assured that all previous commitments, including elections in the country, would be fulfilled within the stipulated time frame. "We see the policy statement of the new Malian leadership as a positive signal, it shows an agreement to build a broad social consensus for the speedy return of the situation to the constitutional framework. <...> Russia continues, including as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to participate constructively in international efforts to stabilize the situation. We are determined to continue supporting Bamako comprehensively on a bilateral basis," the diplomat said.
She stressed that Russia proceeds from the principle "African problems - African solutions" with regard to the settlement in Mali. "In this context, we support the mediation efforts of both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union. At the same time, we believe that the role of the first fiddle in overcoming the existing differences belongs to the Malians themselves", summarized Zakharova.
On May 24, a group of troops led by Colonel and Vice President Goita arrested interim Malian President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. After 48 hours in custody at an army base, they both announced that they were stepping down from their posts. Immediately thereafter, the Constitutional Court of Mali, in a ruling, declared that Vice President Goita had become the transitional president and head of state. He was inaugurated on 7 June. On the same day, Goita issued a decree appointing Chogel Kokalla Maiga, who hails from the 5 June Movement-Regroup of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP), a political entity opposed to the previous government, as head of government. Maiga said that the new government of Mali will be formed by next Sunday.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS