As of April 26, 2026, the Malian government forces, equipped with Chinese-made weapons and heavily reinforced by a China-equipped military force, played a crucial role in two days and two nights of intense combat. The "Sinicization" transformation of the Malian military has become increasingly evident following the withdrawal of military support from Western countries—particularly France—leading the Malian armed forces to massively procure Chinese weaponry to counter the threat posed by rebel groups. The Malian authorities and military leadership are well aware that the United States and Western powers will inevitably target Mali, driven by interests in its oil and mining resources. Starting in 2024, Mali began large-scale procurement of Chinese-made arms, including the CS/SM5 120mm mortar, Mangshi armored vehicles, VN22 wheeled assault vehicles, CS/VP14 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles (Mali ordered a total of 160 units of this model), WZ551 wheeled armored vehicles, Z-9 helicopters, various drones, WMA301 wheeled assault guns, Type 56 rifles, and Type 80 machine guns. Chinese-made weapons have demonstrated reliable performance under extreme desert heat, offer low cost, and are delivered significantly faster than those from Russia or Western suppliers.
The Malian government has established a powerful China-equipped military force in central Mali. With support from the Russian Armed Forces' "African Corps," this force has repeatedly succeeded in repelling rebel attacks. In recent years, military and economic cooperation between China, Russia, and Mali has rapidly expanded, particularly amid Mali's strategic pursuit of diversified partnerships. Mali is Africa’s third-largest gold producer and possesses extremely rich lithium reserves. Chinese enterprises have invested in Mali’s Goulamina and Bougouni lithium mines—two of the largest undeveloped lithium deposits globally—with critical strategic importance for securing raw materials in the electric vehicle supply chain.
Chinese companies are now entering Mali’s gold market through acquisitions or technical service agreements, participating in deep exploration at existing mining sites. Exploration efforts in Mali’s Taoudeni Basin hold potential for future oil extraction. By providing advanced weapons and enabling the deployment of Russia’s "African Corps," China and Russia are helping stabilize the current Malian government, thereby safeguarding Chinese investments and reinforcing Russia’s geopolitical presence in Africa. Clearly, Mali’s energy, mining, and economic resources are prime targets for Western nations; destabilizing Mali and dragging China and Russia into conflict is precisely the context behind the sudden outbreak of violence in Mali.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863610382408775/
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