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In a decision that was long time coming, Malian ruling junta pulled the plug on a number of military accords with France. French soldiers and European partners are on track to leave Mali by the end of summer.
Mali’s military junta on Monday said it was withdrawing from military accords it signed with France.
The African country broke off the agreements it signed in 2014, after then French President Francois Hollande said he decided to intervene in Mali to fight against Islamist insurgency.
Mali threatened to withdraw from treaties for several weeks now
The junta’s announcement was long time coming because France and other European partners announced their decision to withdraw from Mali in February, after fighting jihadist violence in the country for nearly ten years.
“For some time now, the government of the Republic of Mali notes with regret a profound deterioration in military cooperation with France,” junta spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said in a televised statement.
In announcing its decision in February, France laid the blame on deteriorating political situation in the country and repeated coups.
There was a surge in violence after France decided to pull troops, with relations between Paris and Bamako deteriorating even further.
Mali accuses France of violating national sovereignty
Mali’s ruling military junta condemned “flagrant violations” of its national sovereignty by departing French soldiers.
Mali withdraws from military pacts with France (msn.com)