A series of reversals in Mali has dented Russia’s image as a security guarantor in Africa and put its strategic and economic interests on the continent under pressure.

The military junta, which turned to Russia after expelling French and U.N. troops following the 2020 and 2021 coups, was hit by an offensive from an al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg separatist group.

Russia’s Africa Corps withdrew from Kidal, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a suicide bombing, and Moscow used helicopters and strategic bombers to hold insurgents back.

The article says Russia has sought geopolitical influence and access to mineral wealth in exchange for security support, including a planned nuclear power plant, a joint solar plant, support for a lithium project, and a Russian-backed gold refinery.