- Close on the heels of France’s announcement suspending its official development assistance to Mali, the Malian junta has retaliated by banning the activities of all non-governmental organizations financed or supported by France.
The relations between France and Mali seem to be deteriorating day by day. Close on the heels of France’s announcement suspending its official development assistance to Mali, the Malian junta has retaliated by banning the activities of all non-governmental organizations financed or supported by France.
The interim Prime Minister, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, justified the move by pointing out on social media the recent announcement by France suspending its Development Assistance to Mali.
Many NGOs including those operating in the fields of health, food, education, and the humanitarian field will be affected by the announcement. Several NGOs operating in Mali continued to enjoy support from France despite the worsening bilateral ties.
The French Foreign Ministry had cited the use of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner by Malian authorities for the reason for suspending the official development Assistance which was denied by the junta. France had stated that its “humanitarian aid” and some support to Malian civil society organizations will be continued.
Colonel Maiga accused France of levelling baseless allegations with the intention of destabilizing and isolating Mali. He stated that the transitional government has decided to ban, with immediate effect, all activities by NGOs operating in Mali with funding or with material or technical support from France.
Also read;
https://trendsnafrica.com/france-suspends-public-development-aid-to-mali/
Since May 2021 and a second coup, the junta has turned away from France and turned to Moscow for support.
