The Latest Breaking News from Mali

Mali debt defaults due to sanctions exceed $93 million

Mali has defaulted on more than 53.99 billion franc CFA ($93 million) in interest and principal payments since January due to regional sanctions, data from the West Africa monetary union's debt agency Umoa-Titres showed on Wednesday.

Reuters · Feb 16, 2022

With French troops poised to withdraw, Mali will have free rein to negotiate with jihadists

With France expected to announce the withdrawal of troops from Mali on Thursday, Mali's transitional government will have a free hand to negotiate directly with jihadist groups affiliated with al Qaeda, a move strongly opposed by Paris.

France 24 · Feb 16, 2022

Paris hosts summit on Mali, considers troops withdrawal

France is hosting a summit devoted to the fight against Islamic extremists in West Africa

The Independent UK · Feb 16, 2022

Germany sees no reason for military presence in Mali if elections delayed

Germany sees no reason to keep its troops in Mali if the country delays presidential and legislative elections by four to five years, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said in a statement on Tuesday.

Reuters · Feb 15, 2022

Mali high on agenda ahead of AU-EU summit

European foreign ministers discuss the security situation in Mali ahead of this week's AU-EU summit. Also, one month after the re-opening of schools in Uganda, our correspondent takes a look at how children are faring after the world's longest Covid-related class closure. Students' access to education had been crippled for…

France 24 · Feb 14, 2022

Conditions no longer in place to continue Mali fight, France says

The conditions are no longer in place to continue the fight against Islamist militants in Mali and President Emmanuel Macron has asked to re-organise French troops in the region, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday.

Reuters · Feb 14, 2022

Diplomatic flurry as crunch time on Western military role in Mali nears

Western foreign ministers will hold crunch talks on their countries' future presence fighting Islamist militants in Mali on Monday, four European sources said, with three saying regional and international leaders will also meet on Wednesday.

Reuters · Feb 11, 2022

Mali's cotton industry frays under ECOWAS sanctions

The financial freeze on Mali brought in by regional group ECOWAS has hit its economy hard. Key sectors like the cotton industry have been struggling to overcome the impact of the trade penalties. Also, as the excitement of the Africa Cup of Nations winds down, we head to two-time tournament…

France 24 · Feb 10, 2022

Analysis-Leaving Mali would not be easy as French military feels the heat

France is considering withdrawing its troops from Mali, but adapting its strategy to prevent Islamist militancy spreading south may prove complex and contribute to uncertainty in the region.

Reuters · Feb 10, 2022

Mali says it will work with regional bloc, AU, UN on transition timeline

Mali's transitional government has created working groups with members of West Africa's regional bloc, the African Union and the United Nations to work toward a return to constitutional order, it said on Wednesday.

Reuters · Feb 9, 2022