Bamako – Mali’s foreign minister has suggested that tensions with France are running high because “we have hurt their interests”, rather than over delayed elections in the military-ruled Sahel state.
In a video showing the Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop addressing Malians during a visit to the Belgian capital Brussels on Friday, he accused France of selective outrage when it comes to military rule.
“France, which says it defends democracy, has gone to other countries and installed heads of state who have carried out coups, it has applauded them,” the foreign minister said.
Mali’s foreign ministry confirmed the authenticity of the video seen by AFP on Sunday.
Relations between Mali and its former colonial master France have frayed since the army seized power in a coup in August 2020.
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France has thousands of troops deployed in the vast West African nation as part of an anti-jihadist operation.
Tensions have also risen since the West Africa bloc Ecowas imposed a trade embargo and border closures this month, in a move backed by France, the United States and the EU.
The sanctions followed a junta proposal to stay in power for up to five years before staging elections, despite an earlier commitment to hold a vote on February 27.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters this week that Mali’s junta was “illegitimate”.
Alluding to the comment, Diop said that such pressure was “all because we have hurt their interests”. He also suggested that Malian officials ousted in 2020 are seeking to regain power.
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Mali is prioritising building “something solid” over holding swift elections, the foreign minister said, pointing to a history of political instability and coups in the country.
Swathes of Mali lie outside of government control because of a jihadist insurgency that first emerged in 2012, before spreading to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
The junta has cited insecurity as a reason for delaying elections.
Mali is also at loggerheads with the international community over its alleged use of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, which has deployed to Mali according to the US and others.
But Diop said that Mali and Russia had long been strong partners, with Russia traditionally training and equipping much of Mali’s army.
“Where we are now, even if the devil offers us his hand, we will take it,” he said.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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