Another warning shot.
The Malian junta announced, Monday evening, November 21, to prohibit the activities of all non-governmental organizations financed or supported by France, including those operating in the humanitarian field.
The interim Prime Minister, Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, justifies this decision, in a press release posted on social networks, by the recent announcement of the suspension by France of its official development aid to Mali.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs had invoked the use of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner by the Malian authorities as the reason.
The junta that came to power by force in August 2020 has constantly denied having appealed to this company, which has been decried in several countries, and speaks of Russian army instructors deployed in the name of a former collaboration between the two countries.
Colonel Maïga denounces in his press release "fanciful allegations" and a "subterfuge intended to deceive and manipulate national and international public opinion for the purpose of destabilizing and isolating Mali".
“Consequently, the transitional government decides to prohibit, with immediate effect, all activities carried out by NGOs operating in Mali with funding or with material or technical support from France, including in the humanitarian field,” he said.
With AFP
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