"I must tell you that our cooperation with Russia is already yielding impressive good results. Today, thanks to Russian help, Mali can independently conduct reconnaissance, as well as attack from the air. The military operations that are currently underway are fully coordinated by the Malian armed forces," Diop said.
"For some time we remained on the ground, in the camps, and the terrorists attacked us. Now that the Malian army is on the offensive, our troops have become more mobile thanks to the aviation that helps the soldiers move. We are advancing, launching attacks, and thanks to these large-scale operations, the terrorist group is being hit," Diop specified.
"During the three to four months of the operation, more than 100,000 people were able to return home. Markets have already opened in many settlements, people are leading their usual way of life, cultivating the fields", Diop said.