French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s comments were described as “hostile and outrageous” by Mali officials
BAMAKO – The latest move by Mali’s transitional government to expel the French ambassador does not necessarily amount to the end of the relationship between the two countries, according to a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
On Monday, the military government had given the French ambassador Joel Meyer 72 hours’ notice to leave the country in response to what it described as “hostile and outrageous” comments by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who said Mali’s military government was “out of control”.
Ornella Moderan from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) described the move as an “impressive” form of protest against the country’s former coloniser.
“The Malian authority’s decision to expel the French ambassador is very impressive and symbolic from a diplomatic perspective, but it does not amount to a breaking of the relationship with France. [It] is one of the various elements that diplomats have in their toolbox to protest when they disagree. It makes a big impression from a mediatic point of view, but this does not mean that the relationship between the two countries is broken.”
The move comes amidst growing tension between the Mali and European countries in the aftermath of two coups. Moderan pointed out the impact of comments by the French authorities’ comments on public opinion in Mali and noted growing exasperation amongst Malians against prolonged French military presence in the country.
“It comes at a time when there is an uprise of the national sovereignty feeling in Mali, so of course this is not accepted by most Malians who tend to support the decision that their governments have made as one of national sovereignty.”
“The decade-long presence of France on Malian soil conducting a counter terrorism operation initially had some success but has not really been able to curb the insecurity that either Mali or the broader Sahel are facing. So, on top of this perception of arrogance from the part of France, there’s also public exasperation about what’s perceived as a military presence that’s been inefficient.”
France has had troops in Mali since 2013, when they intervened to fight armed groups who were advancing on the capital. The fighters have since regrouped and are waging an armed uprising across the Sahel region.
Inayet Wadee spoke to Ornella Moderan from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on News & Views. Listen to the full discussion here:
