Mali expels the French ambassador and gives him 72 hours to leave, and Paris renews its commitment to fighting terrorism

Today, Monday, the Malian government asked the French ambassador in Bamako to leave its territory within 72 hours, and condemned what it described as offensive statements by French officials, and this development would affect the future of the French military presence in this West African country.

The government said, in a statement read by state television, that the French ambassador, Joel Meyer, had been summoned by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Financial Cooperation to inform him of the decision.

In Paris, the French Foreign Ministry announced that it had taken note of the expulsion of its ambassador from Mali and decided to withdraw it.

Fight against terrorism

In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry renewed Paris' determination to continue fighting terrorism in the African Sahel, stressing its solidarity with its European partners, especially Denmark, after the Malian authorities expelled its special battalion that was working within the European force there.

The French Foreign Ministry expressed its solidarity with the Economic Community of West African States, whose representative was also expelled from Mali, and renewed its commitment to supporting stability and development in the African coast.

Strained relationships

This step comes amid severe tension in the relationship between France and the ruling military junta in Mali, following French and Western assurances that the Bamako authorities contracted with the Russian "Wagner" group accused of being involved in conflicts in several countries, including Syria, Libya and Central Africa.

This step also comes after statements by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in which he accused Wagner's mercenaries of "looting" Mali, where French forces are deployed as part of an anti-terror force in the Sahel, comprising 5,000 soldiers, and it is expected that their number will shrink this year to 3,000 soldiers.

Le Drian described the current Malian military-led government as irresponsible and illegitimate, and had accused the Wagner Group of "supporting" the military group that seeks "to seize power" in Mali under the pretext of fighting armed groups.

In response to Le Drian's statements, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said that his country had requested a review of defense and security cooperation agreements with France, adding that he did not rule out "anything" regarding the future of the relationship between Bamako and Paris.

The ruling military junta in Mali denies the presence of Wagner mercenaries in the country, and says that it is related to the presence of Russian trainers similar to the European ones.

It is noteworthy that France intervened militarily in Mali in 2013 after armed groups took control of parts of the country, and last year the French forces evacuated a number of military bases in Mali as part of a plan to reduce their presence in the Sahel region.

Kenya: at least 10 dead in bus explosion

In Kenya, at least 10 people died Monday during the explosion of a minibus. The vehicle ran over an explosive device in the northeast of the country near the Somali border.

The tragedy occurred on a highway less than ten kilometers from the town of Mandera. According to several witnesses who were able to help the many injured, the toll could increase in the coming hours.

"The bus was coming from Arabia and heading towards Mandera," regional police commander Bunei Rono told television. "A few kilometers from its terminus, the vehicle ran over an explosive device hidden on the road. Security officers who were about 200 meters from the site of the explosion were able to quickly provide first aid and evacuate the injured and also the victims."

County Health Services Director Abdi Maalim said Mandera County Central Hospital received seven bodies at the scene and 13 injured patients, four of them in critical condition. The 13 injured patients "are receiving treatment right now" , he added.

Suspect arrested

A suspect was arrested in connection with the explosion and the unnamed individual was still being questioned. According to the police, the attack would have been perpetrated by a gang of six people who would have fled towards the border; presumably al-Shabab extremists operating in the area after crossing into neighboring Somalia.

A similar tragedy occurred in the region in March 2021. After a French and German alert to possible attacks, Kenya reinforced its security at the end of last week.

Burkina Faso suspended from African Union following coup

The African Union (AU) announced on Monday the suspension of Burkina Faso from all its activities within the continental organization "until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country" , scene of a coup d'etat. last week.

"The Council decides to suspend the participation of Burkina Faso in all AU activities until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country" , announced in a tweet the Peace and Security Council. , in charge of conflicts and security issues within the AU.

The country was also suspended Friday from the bodies of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), like other countries that have recently experienced a military coup, Guinea and Mali .

A delegation of heads of diplomacy from ECOWAS is due to travel to the capital Ouagadougou to meet with members of the junta, in power for a week. The military seized power on January 24 and placed President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré under house arrest .

Like its neighbors Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has been caught since 2015 in a spiral of violence attributed to jihadist movements affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group which have left at least 2,000 dead and 1.4 million displaced.