Mali: The ruling junta goes to the UN accusing France of supporting the jihadists.

After the final departure of the French army (Operation Barkhane) from Mali on Monday 15 August 2022, the ruling junta went to the UN Security Council to accuse France of acts against the honour of the country. A letter was sent to report the violations.

The Barkhane force, which for almost a decade operated on Malian territory, has officially vacated the premises because of the deteriorating relations between France and the Malian transitional junta in power. Indeed, after the departure of the last French soldier from Mali, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdoulaye Diop, in a letter, denounced the support of the Barkhane force to the terrorist armies that have been operating in the country for several years. An act that not only undermines the dignity of the country, but also its sovereignty, according to the statement.

The junta’s correspondence to the UN

In a letter to journalists on 17 August 2022, Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop denounced French violations in Mali at the UN Security Council. A letter in which he mentions France’s abuses and their remarkable support for jihadists by providing them with information. Thus, France’s intrusion into Malian territory to “collect information for the benefit of terrorist groups and dropping weapons and ammunition on them, French helicopters, drones or fighter planes’ was reported by the Malian authorities who also reported espionage and subversion activities.

The Minister also insisted that if France persisted in its actions, Mali would be obliged to use force. The country of Assimi Goïta considers this to be self-defence, even if Mali does not want to go that far. Moreover, according to the head of Malian diplomacy, the country has sufficient evidence against France to justify these allegations.

Despite these accusations, France remains silent, at least for the moment. In addition, the Barkhane force, driven out of Mali, has found refuge in Niger. But the reception was not at all warm, even though it has already set up its base in the capital Niamey. This is not shared by the whole population because, according to them, the situation will deteriorate between Mali and Niger in their fight against terrorism in the Sahel. Also, the trust between these two countries will take a hit.

Thierry Hounye(stag)