Mali vows to defend itself if France continues to undermine its sovereignty

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - Mali’s foreign minister called Tuesday for a special meeting of the UN Security Council to present evidence of “acts of espionage” and “destabilization” by France.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Mali in New York, where the Secretary-General's latest report on the security situation in Mali was discussed, Abdoulaye Diop said “it is surprising that as part of the factual account" the report "failed to mention Mali's referral to the Security Council on 15 August 2022 regarding attempts at destabilization and repeated airspace violations by French forces.”

He renewed his request for a "specific meeting" in order to "present concrete evidence of France's duplicity, spying and destabilization acts against Mali.”

Diop also accused France of sharing intelligence and leaving “material for the benefit of criminal organizations,” causing insecurity and violence against civilians.

“These extremely serious acts of aggression constitute a violation of the UN Charter but also a violation of international law and should not go unchallenged,” he said.

Diop announced that his country reserves the right to resort to self-defense if France continues to undermine the sovereignty of Mali, its territorial integrity and national security.

He "strongly" challenged the Council by denouncing the "proxy war" imposed on Mali as well as the maneuvers and obstacles to the holding of this specific meeting.

He said it should allow the truth to be expressed, while national and international opinion must be educated once and for all about the root causes of the factors that create insecurity, destabilization and the spread of terrorism in the Sahel.

Mali has broken off security relations with France, who had been accompanying it in the fight against terrorism, which has been undermining the country for several years.

According to the Malian authorities, this collaboration has been a failure.

The French authorities have denied any involvement in the security and political instability in Mali.