Since the junta in power in Mali demanded the military withdrawal from the country, after 10 years of French presence to fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel, the relationship between Paris and Bamako has been icy. At the podium of the Dakar forum, the diplomatic crossroads of security in Africa which has just ended, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali delivered a long diatribe against France, which he accuses of “neo-posture colonial” and to have destabilized the region with the military intervention in the Sahel. A year after the beginning of the falling out between Paris and Bamako which led to the withdrawal of Operation Barkhane, this speech says a lot about the state of relations between the two countries. As proof, Secretary of State Chrysoula Zacharopoulou found herself only a few meters from Abdoulaye Diop, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali. Without any exchange being noted.
A possible rapprochement between the two countries envisaged
No politeness, not even a crossing of eyes, the relationship between the two countries is chilling. At least in appearance because behind the scenes, on both sides, we are trying to prepare for the post ice age. According to information from Europe 1, the long-standing exchanges between the two countries within the world of intelligence are still active. There remains the political will. Abdoulaye Diop, the spokesperson for the junta abroad does not exclude, at the micro Europe 1, the prospect of a rapprochement: “I believe that there is a long history of relationship that we cannot deny. The French and Malian populations are linked by many things, history and geography.”
The French side remains skeptical. “They are attacking us with accusations that do not exist,” it is argued, in reference to the complaint filed by Mali against France before the United Nations. The putschists swear to have proof that the French supposedly armed terrorists in the Sahel. An assertion never substantiated to date.
“Mali has no problem with any partner”
When Abdoulaye Diop is asked about Franco-Malian relations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali remains firm. “Our problem is a problem between the Malian government and the French government on the basis of consideration of partnership. Mali wanted our sovereignty to be respected and the vital interests of Malians to be taken into account. If these elements are observed, Mali has no problem with any partner, including France,” he said. What we understand between the lines is that behind the icy relationship between the two countries, there is still a space for a possible rapprochement. If it is thin, it has the merit of existing.