Sep. 12 () –
Mali’s transitional authorities have stated that they will present the “evidence” they have on France’s alleged role in supporting terrorist groups operating in the African country, accusations rejected in August by Paris.
“We have filed a complaint with supporting evidence. All the cases of violations have been well documented,” said the government spokesman, Abdoulaye Maiga, who added that “other evidence will be presented (…) after the special session of the UN Security Council”.
“These are not acceptable things if we want to ensure the sustainability of the collective security mechanism. It is very important that you give us the opportunity to present the evidence that incriminates France,” Maiga, who is also interim prime minister, highlighted. the Malian newspaper ‘Le Pays’.
Thus, he has charged against France for its role in the crisis in the African country, before pointing out that Mali “has always said that it makes the difference between the authorities and the French people, whom it greatly respects.” “These authorities are guilty of many things, mainly untimely violations of Malian airspace. I don’t think there is a single aircraft that has violated French airspace,” he stressed.
Likewise, he has accused France of “abandoning the Malian authorities in midair” by “putting an end to defense cooperation” that left Bamako “without a plan”, amid a deterioration in security due to the increase in attacks by jihadist groups in recent years.
Mali denounced in August that the French troops deployed in the country had collaborated with terrorist groups, after which Paris asked not to be distracted by the “multiplication of information manipulations” about its presence in the African country, which ended days before.
The governments of France and the rest of the European countries that participate and collaborate with the ‘Barkhane’ operation and the Takuba Force, in addition to Canada, announced in February the withdrawal of their forces from Mali, where they were deployed to help Bamako in the fight against jihadism, amid tensions with the military junta.
Relations deteriorated due to the board’s announcement to lengthen the transition process to between four and five years and to postpone the elections scheduled for February, amid the exchange of accusations between Paris and Bamako about efforts in anti-terrorist matters and the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries.
In recent months, the country has been registering a growing number of jihadist attacks carried out by both the Al Qaeda branch in the region and the Islamic State branch, which has also increased inter-community violence and caused the displacement of tens of thousands of people.
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