The military rulers in Mali are going to break the defense agreements with former colonizer France. The junta has accused French troops of “blatant violations” of Mali’s sovereignty.
The announcement is yet another step in the deterioration of relations between France and Mali. According to an army spokesman, the French army has regularly violated Mali’s airspace.
The French suspended in June last year joint military operations with the Malian army. At the beginning of this year, France withdrew all its troops from the West African country. Other European countries, such as the Netherlands, also stopped their fight against jihadists in Mali.
Russia
The Malian junta came to power in August 2020. Relations with France, which has been fighting jihadists in Mali since 2013, deteriorated when the junta refused to relinquish power despite previous promises. The French ambassador in Mali had to leave.
Relations between Paris and Mali have also deteriorated due to Russia. Both France and the United States say mercenaries from Kremlin-affiliated security firm Wagner have been deployed in Mali. The junta claims that they are only used as military instructors.
Correspondent Saskia Houttuin traveled to Mali and saw how great the influence of Russia is on the country:
–
