France on Saturday called for the “immediate release” of one of its diplomats stationed at the French Embassy in Bamako after Malian authorities announced his detention on allegations of working for a foreign intelligence service.
In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry stressed that the official is protected under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, describing the accusations as “entirely without legal basis.” It added that diplomatic engagement with Malian authorities is ongoing to clarify the circumstances of the arrest.
The French Embassy in Bamako separately urged French nationals in Mali to exercise caution and avoid public gatherings, amid rising political and security tensions.
Military Arrests Deepen Crisis
The arrest of the diplomat coincided with a wave of detentions within Mali’s security establishment. The transitional government announced it had apprehended what it termed a “marginal group” of military and security personnel accused of destabilising state institutions with alleged external backing.
Security sources told AFP that at least 55 officers have been detained, including high-ranking generals such as Abbas Dembélé and Néma Sagara. Dembélé, a key figure in the Malian armed forces, previously served as governor of Mopti before being dismissed from his post.
The arrests were concentrated within the National Guard — the same branch headed by current Defence Minister General Sadio Camara, a central figure in the ruling military council.
Civilian Figures Targeted
The crackdown has also extended beyond the military. Former civilian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga and several aides were arrested earlier this month in connection with financial investigations related to his time in office, according to Mali’s Economic and Financial Prosecutor’s Office.
Strained Relations with Paris
The developments mark the latest escalation in already fraught relations between Bamako and Paris. Since Mali’s 2020 and 2021 military coups, ties with France — the former colonial power — have steadily deteriorated, while the transitional leadership under Colonel Assimi Goïta has pivoted towards closer cooperation with Russia.
With France now pressing for the release of its detained diplomat, the standoff threatens to sharpen tensions between the Malian junta and its Western partners at a time of heightened political uncertainty and security fragility.
