Vassiriki Traoré, the head of Ivory Coast’s intelligence services, is set to arrive in Bamako on Thursday, 15 October 2026, following an invitation from his Malian counterpart, General Modibo Koné. The three-day working visit takes place amid strained relations between the two West African neighbours, yet it also highlights the pressing need to strengthen cooperation against a shared terrorist threat.
A visit centred on intelligence cooperation
Traoré’s trip comes at the invitation of Modibo Koné, who leads Mali’s National Agency for State Security. Discussions are expected to focus on information sharing and deepening security collaboration between the two countries.
The meeting could mark a significant step in efforts to restore working ties between Abidjan and Bamako, after political disagreements weakened their cooperation in recent years.
Bilateral relations strained by years of tension
Relations between the two West African neighbours have gradually deteriorated since Mali’s military authorities took power in 2020. Disagreements over diplomatic direction, ties with France and several security disputes have widened the gap between the two capitals.
The affair of 49 Ivorian soldiers arrested in Bamako in July 2022 further heightened tensions. Malian authorities labelled the troops mercenaries and they were convicted before receiving a pardon. Abidjan maintained they were deployed as part of a United Nations support mission.
Counter-terrorism at the heart of the stakes
Beyond political differences, the jihadist threat remains a common challenge for both countries. Mali continues to face attacks from armed terrorist groups, while Ivory Coast keeps a close watch on security developments in its northern regions near the Malian border.
In this context, better coordination between intelligence services could help improve attack prevention, border surveillance and the flow of information on the movements of armed groups.
Traoré’s visit to Bamako therefore appears as an opportunity to review possibilities for security cooperation between the two states, despite their political divergences.
It remains to be seen whether this initiative will open a new phase of dialogue between Abidjan and Bamako and lay the foundations for a more lasting rapprochement.