For over ten years, the nation has been caught in a violent struggle against factions linked to al Qaeda and ISIS. Diop mentioned that they have now restored access throughout the country due to a rise in military expenditure, which now constitutes a quarter of the national budget.
Following the expulsion of French forces and the conclusion of a United Nations mission, Mali has sought new partnerships for support. ‘I believe our military achievements on the ground have been made possible, in part, due to our collaboration with China, which provides us with essential military equipment to carry out this fight,’ Diop stated. He also expressed optimism about increasing Chinese investment as security conditions improve. However, some analysts have raised doubts about Mali’s assertions of gaining an advantage in the conflict, as assaults on both military personnel and civilians persist.