Archive · 19 Sep 2025
France Suspends Mali Counterterrorism Cooperation
France has stopped helping Mali fight terrorism.
This follows Mali arresting a person France says was working at their embassy, but Mali claims was a spy.
France has responded by expelling two staff members from Mali's embassy in France.
Mali has retaliated by expelling five French embassy staff.
This is happening at a time of political instability in Mali and a change in alliances where the military government has shifted away from France to Russia.
This has further worsened the relationship between France and Mali.
France has suspended counterterrorism cooperation with Mali.
The suspension follows the arrest of a French intelligence agent in August.
The agent was accused of participating in a plot to destabilize Mali.
France ordered two Malian embassy staff to leave.
Mali declared five French embassy staff persona non grata.
- Who
- France and Mali
- What
- France suspended counterterrorism cooperation
- When
- After arrest in August
- Where
- Mali and France
- Why
- Following arrest of French intelligence agent
- Event
- France suspends counter-terrorism cooperation with Mali
- Reason
- Arrest of French intelligence agent in August
- Agent's Alleged Role
- Participating in a plot to destabilize Mali
- French Action
- Two Malian embassy staff declared persona non grata
- Malian Response
- Five French embassy staff declared persona non grata
- Background
- Mali's military-led government severed military ties with France