Three days of silence ended with a photograph. Mali’s military ruler, Assimi Goita, appeared on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, sitting with Russian Ambassador Igor Gromyko. It was his first public appearance since insurgents hit the country’s main army base and the area around Bamako’s airport on Saturday.
His office put out the pictures on social media and a short account of the talk. The two men “discussed the current situation and the strong partnership between Bamako and Moscow,” according to Reuters. Gromyko, the office said, “reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Mali in the fight against international terrorism.” Goita also visited a hospital where the wounded were being treated and offered condolences to the family of Defense Minister Sadio Camara, who was killed in the fighting.
An alliance that surprised the junta
Two groups that have rarely cooperated carried out the attack: JNIM, West Africa’s al-Qaeda affiliate, and the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-dominated separatist movement. Al Jazeera described it as the largest offensive in nearly 15 years. AFP reported at least 23 dead over two days and said the attackers took Kidal in the north. Russia’s defence ministry confirmed that its Africa Corps fighters pulled out of the town, and the Malian army reportedly gave up several positions in the Gao region.
Analysts quoted by Reuters pointed to “an unprecedented ability by groups with differing objectives to work together.” AFP noted echoes of 2012, when Tuareg rebels and jihadists briefly joined forces before falling out.
Moscow’s version
The same day, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed its troops had stopped a coup. “Units of the Africa Corps inflicted irreparable losses on the enemy in personnel and hardware,” the ministry said, adding that they had forced the attackers to abandon their plans. The Kremlin said it wanted “peace and stability” in Mali. Russia also warned that the separatists who seized Kidal were “regrouping” for further attacks.
Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque read the photos as a message. “The image speaks louder than words,” he said of the regime’s reliance on “Russian mercenaries,” and he added that Goita was “trying to reassure the country that he is in charge.” Social media footage, Al Jazeera noted, has shown Russian fighters and Malian soldiers surrendering to the armed groups.
Blockade claim and a televised address
JNIM spokesman Bina Diarra said in a video that “as of today, Bamako is closed off from all sides,” calling the weekend violence retaliation for Malian drone strikes. He threatened a siege of a city of 4 million people. AFP reported that the group announced a blockade of roads into the capital, “entering it is forbidden until further notice”, but could not confirm it was being enforced. Fighters of the Islamic State’s West Africa affiliate also entered the northeastern town of Menaka on Tuesday, with no clashes reported.
That evening Goita addressed the nation on television. “Security arrangements have been reinforced. The situation is under control,” he said, and urged Malians to “stand up against division and national fracture.”
Sources
- Mali military leader Goita emerges as Russia declares it halted coup
- Mali military leader makes first appearance since attacks, office says (Reuters)
- Mali's leader says situation 'under control' in first address since attacks (Africanews/AFP)
