Written by: Qusay Ahmed

The head of the transitional phase received financialGeneral Assimi Goïta met on Tuesday with the Russian ambassador to Bamako, Igor Gromyko, at the presidential palace in Bamako.

According to a statement issued by the Malian presidency, the meeting addressed developments in the current security situation, as well as bilateral relations between the two countries, which are described as strong and growing, especially in the military and security fields.

During the meeting, the Russian ambassador affirmed his country’s commitment to standing by Mali in the face of security threats, noting the existing cooperation between the Malian armed forces and Russian forces in combating what he described as ”international terrorism.”.

He also expressed his wishes for success to the Malian forces and their partners, stressing that Russia will remain a supportive partner and friend of Mali at this stage.

This meeting comes in the context of escalating coordination between Bamako and Moscow, in light of the security developments taking place in the country, and the growing role of the military partnership between the two sides.

Earlier, a Malian security source told AFP that Mali's interim president, General Assimi Goïta, "was evacuated from Kati and is now in a safe location at a special forces camp" near the capital.

The French news agency quoted security sources as saying that the head of Malian intelligence, General Modibo Koné, was wounded during Saturday's attacks in Kati, as was the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Omar Diarra.

Conflicting reports about the fate of Mali's leaders

According to reports in Mali, there are conflicting reports about the status of the head of the intelligence service, General Modibo Koné, and the Chief of Staff, General Omar Diarra. Some say they were wounded, while others say the former has died. So far, there are no confirmations.

This comes after the death of Malian Defense Minister General Sadio Camara was confirmed, according to Agence France-Presse.

The Sahel Union had condemned the “coordinated terrorist attacks” that targeted several locations in Mali, denouncing a ”conspiracy” aimed at destabilizing the Union, while praising the Malian army’s response.

In a statement issued from Ouagadougou, the president of the Sahel Union, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, confirmed that the attacks carried out on the morning of April 25 in Mali “bear the hallmarks of long-planned operations” aimed at inflicting heavy losses on the defense forces and ”spreading terror” among the civilian population.