Mali’s junta leader, General Assimi Goita, arrived in Russia on Sunday for a visit aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations as the West African country continues to battle a worsening insurgency.

Since taking power following successive coups in 2020 and 2021, Goita’s military government has distanced itself from Western partners, particularly France, Mali’s former colonial ruler, and instead turned to Moscow for military and political support.

Goita’s trip follows the recent announcement that Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group—which has supported Mali’s army on the ground since 2021—is withdrawing from the country.

The group will be replaced by its successor, known as Africa Corps. Both groups have reportedly served as instruments of Moscow’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa, though the Kremlin has consistently denied direct links to Wagner.

After touching down in Moscow on Sunday morning, Goita is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, according to Mali’s state television broadcaster ORTM. The visit, which will run until June 26, will focus on enhancing cooperation between Bamako and Moscow in areas such as security, energy, and transportation, according to ORTM.

Mali has been grappling with an insurgency since 2012, with extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State launching attacks alongside criminal gangs and fuelling ethnic and sectarian violence.

Recently, insurgents have intensified their assaults, focusing on military outposts and checkpoints across the country.