France to reduce diplomatic personnel in Mali

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - France has decided to withdraw some of its diplomatic staff in Mali due to the deteriorating security situation, the Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.

France “has decided to adapt its diplomatic and consular presence” in Mali and will, in other words, reduce its personnel amid the country’s worsened security environment, the ministry said, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

The ministry did not specify how many people are affected.

Since 2012, Mali has been in political and security turmoil, fueled by repeated attacks by armed groups and clashes with separatist forces in the north.

JNIM, a merger of five armed groups and designated by the Malian government as a terrorist organization, has intensified its attacks across the country since September.

In recent weeks, Mali has faced a fuel crisis as armed groups block routes used by tankers, disrupting supplies to Bamako.