
Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, has praised the deepening partnership between Mali and Belgium during a farewell meeting with Belgian Ambassador Patrick Deboeck, whose diplomatic mission in Bamako has come to an end.
The meeting, held on Thursday, July 10, provided an opportunity for Minister Diop to convey the Malian government’s gratitude for what he described as “active and impactful cooperation,” highlighting a series of development initiatives implemented during Deboeck’s tenure.
“Our collaboration with Belgium is anchored in concrete results,” said Diop, emphasizing bilateral programs in the areas of local governance, rural development, food security, and civil society support.
Figures from Enabel, Belgium’s development agency, show that Belgian assistance to Mali over recent years has surpassed €31 million.
This includes €11.5 million dedicated to improving local governance, €16 million for rural development, and €3.5 million allocated to bolstering civil society initiatives.
Mali remains a priority destination for Belgian development cooperation. In 2024, Belgium allocated approximately 30% of its official development assistance to least developed countries, with nearly 76% of its funded projects promoting gender equality—a pillar of its global aid strategy.
Despite Mali’s ongoing security challenges, Belgium has sustained its support through locally anchored partnerships and international collaboration, underscoring its commitment to long-term stability and resilience in the country.
Brussels continues to maintain its diplomatic presence in Bamako, while advising caution to its nationals.
The Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its willingness to strengthen existing ties and explore new avenues for cooperation in the coming years.
The meeting concluded with mutual appreciation and a renewed commitment to constructive and forward-looking dialogue between the two nations.