France Scalesโข Back Mali Diplomatic Presence Amid Escalating Insecurity
BAMAKO, Mali โ- France is reducing its โdiplomatic staff in Mali as the Westโ African nation grapples with a deepening security crisis โฃand a blockade impacting essential resources, the french โคgovernment confirmed Friday. Approximately 4,000 French nationals in Mali have been advised as November 7th to arrange temporary departures via available commercialโ flights, withโค all non-essential travel to the โcountry strongly discouraged.
The โคmove reflects growing concerns โover the volatileโ situation in โMali, which has beenโข destabilized since โ2012โค by jihadist groups affiliated โwith Al-Qaeda (JNIMโ – Support Group for Islam and Muslims)โฃ and the Islamic โState (IS), alongside local armed criminal elements.โ The escalating conflict is now directly โคimpacting Mali’s economy and basic services, prompting the french government to prioritize the safety โฃof its citizensโ and personnel.
JNIM has imposed a blockadeโ on fuel imports, severely hindering Mali’s landlocked economy. While Bamako recently saw a limited resumption of fuel deliveries, manyโข towns throughout the country remain without access. Residents of the โcapital โคcurrently experience less than six โhours ofโ electricity per day,and long โlines persist at gas stations.
JNIM signaled an intensificationโ of the blockade in a propaganda video released Tuesday, declaring truck drivers will now be considered combatants. A separate JNIMโข statement issued Thursday called for opposition to Mali’s current military junta from NGOs, businesses, and prominent figures. The French government’s decision โto โคreduce its diplomatic footprint underscores the deteriorating security landscape and the challenges facing international actors โoperating within Mali.
