France has suspended its security and counterterrorism cooperation with Mali following the arrest of a French diplomat in Bamako last month, further straining already tense relations between the two countries.
French officials confirmed on Friday that two Malian diplomats were ordered to leave France by Saturday in a reciprocal move. The step comes after Malian authorities accused the detained French diplomat of espionage, allegations Paris firmly rejects, insisting on his diplomatic immunity and demanding his immediate release.
The diplomatic fallout deepened after Bamako expelled five French embassy staff earlier this month, declaring them persona non grata. They departed Mali last Sunday.
A French diplomatic source warned that additional measures could follow if the detained diplomat is not freed swiftly. Relations between Paris and Bamako have been in freefall since Mali’s 2020 and 2021 military coups.
The transitional government led by Colonel Assimi Goïta has increasingly distanced itself from France, accusing foreign powers of interference while drawing closer to Russia.
