In response to the arbitrary arrest of a French embassy employee in Bamako and the unjustified expulsion of five French diplomatic staff by Malian authorities, the French government has announced the suspension of all counter-terrorism cooperation with Mali and the expulsion of two Malian diplomats from France.
The arrested French national, detained last month on baseless accusations of espionage, is entitled to diplomatic immunity, and France demands their immediate release. This individual was accused by Malian authorities of working for French intelligence services amid claims of foreign attempts to destabilize the country, allegations that France categorically rejects as unfounded.
The two Malian diplomats have been given until Saturday to leave French territory. This decision follows Mali's declaration on Sunday that five members of the French embassy in Bamako are persona non grata, who have since departed the country. France has been engaged in discussions with Mali since August to resolve this misunderstanding and secure the envoy's release, but escalating measures are necessary to protect our personnel and interests.