Mali official stresses ‘ruling out nothing’ in relations with France

Amid the ongoing tension between France and Mali, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop has cleared its stands and asserted that they are not ruling anything with France. He said that the country’s military-dominated government informed that there is nothing wrong between France and Mali.

On Friday, January 28, 2022, while speaking at the press conference, he asserted that they are at this moment not discussing any question related to the de-escalation of the troops of France from the conflict-torn country called Mali.

Across Mali borders, the troops have been deployed by the Former colonial power called France. In 2012, tension emerged at the Sahel state, and they are continuously trying to contain that. Moreover, the rebellion has been spreading across the neighbouring Burkino Faso and Niger.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drain also explained that these days things could not stay the way they are as the French government and Mali government intervening on the matter.

In August 2020, the coup staged by the army of Mali had deteriorated the relationship between the two countries massively. In the West Africa bloc, the ECOWAS imposed a trade embargo and shut borders with mali, and the decision has been backed by France, the United States and the European Union.

This move has further made Mali’s military stay in power for up to five years, and the elections have not been conducted in the country. It has been done that despite the international demands that mandate the respect of a promise to hold the vote in February.

In regard to the relationship with France, the country has proposed that Mali is not ruling out anything with France. Moreover, the threats and the insults that the government of the country is facing is not treatable, and there should be something realistic engagement.

Earlier, the government of Mali also asked Denmark to de-escalate their deployed troops at the borders of the country.