Russia hopes for productive relations with Mali following the recent re-election of the African country's president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Russia hopes for productive relations with Mali following the recent re-election of the African country's president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Keita secured a victory in the country's presidential election after winning 67 percent of the vote during the second tour, which was held on Sunday. His main opponent, Soumaila Cisse, who heads the opposition Union for the Republic and Democracy, won 33 percent of the vote.
"Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is known as an experienced and reputable politician. We are confident that the substantial support of the Malian citizens will allow the President-elect to work efficiently towards overcoming the protracted crisis in Mali, stabilising the situation and restoring Bamakos active role in international affairs. We hope that the long-time friendly relations between Russia and Mali will continue their productive development for the benefit of the two nations," the statement read.
Keita, who has been heading the country since 2013, will take office on September 4.
His second term is expected to be a challenging one; the country has been in a state of turmoil since the previous president, Amadou Toumani Toure, was overthrown in 2012. Since then, various Islamist groups have emerged and continue to threaten Mali's security. The country has been in a state of emergency since April 2017.
