Senegal’s Ambassador to Mali, Moustapha Ndour, has concluded his diplomatic mission in Bamako, wrapping up a term defined by notable advances in security collaboration and trade amid a region grappling with geopolitical shifts and mounting security threats.
Ambassador Ndour, who assumed office in October 2023 and was appointed Senegal’s ambassador to Germany earlier this year, officially ended his tenure on June 20.
He was received by Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, during a farewell audience that underscored the growing trust between the two West African nations.
During his time in Bamako, Ndour helped engineer a series of high-level engagements between Mali and Senegal, including two key visits by Senegal’s Minister of Defence in February and May 2025.
These visits laid the groundwork for joint security patrols along the 700-kilometre shared border between the Kayes and Nioro regions—areas increasingly targeted by extremist violence.
According to data from the Timbuktu Institute, jihadist attacks in the Sahel have surged sevenfold since 2021, making the collaboration both timely and urgent.
On the economic front, bilateral trade saw a significant boost. In 2024, more than 87,000 tons of goods flowed between Dakar and Bamako—a 23% rise from the previous year.
Ambassador Ndour also played a crucial role in launching three cross-border health centres in the Kayes-Kédougou corridor, improving access to essential services for isolated border communities.
“Trust and solidarity between two brotherly peoples,” remarked Minister Diop, commending the ambassador’s efforts.
For his part, Ndour lauded the “resilience of the Malian people” and highlighted the upcoming revival of the Joint Cooperation Commission, which will focus on key sectors including security, infrastructure, and agrifood.
As Mali continues to recalibrate its regional alliances following its withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, the importance of bilateral relations has become even more pronounced.
With approximately 24,000 Senegalese nationals residing in Mali, both countries emphasized the urgent need to deepen cooperation outside traditional multilateral frameworks.
Ambassador Ndour’s departure marks the end of a proactive diplomatic mandate, but the partnerships he helped forge—particularly in security and trade—are expected to endure, offering a blueprint for regional resilience in uncertain times.
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