Mali has given the French ambassador a 72 hours notice this Monday to leave the country, after “hostile and outrageous” comments from French officials about the Malian transitional government.
In a statement broadcast on national television this Monday, January 31, the Malian government “vigorously condemns and rejects these remarks,” in reference to recent French FM denouncing the military government.
The statement called the French officials’ statements “are contrary to the development of friendly relations between nations.”
“The government of the Republic of Mali informs the national and international public that today, the ambassador of France in Bamako, his excellency Joel Meyer, was notified of the decision of the government asking him to leave the national territory within 72 hours,” concluded the statement.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had said on Friday that Mali’s military government was “out of control,” calling the military government “illegitimate,” as tensions rose between the West African state demanding the end of French interference in the nation’s affairs.
French Defense Minister Florence Parly additionally said on Saturday that “French troops would not stay in Mali if the price was too high.”
Since the announcement of the notice, there has been no comment or response from Paris.
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