Mali: Junta expels Swedish ambassador in response to “hostile” remarks.
The military junta in power in Mali ordered on Friday, August 9, 2024, the Swedish ambassador, Kristina Kühnel, stationed in Bamako, to leave the country within 72 hours. This decision comes following a statement deemed “hostile” by the Swedish Minister for International Cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell, who criticized Mali’s support for Russia.
According to an announcement published by the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish ambassador was summoned and received official notification of her expulsion. Malian diplomacy expressed its dissatisfaction with the remarks made by Johan Forssell on X (formerly Twitter), where he stated that “Mali cannot support Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine while receiving several hundred million crowns each year in development aid.” This statement led the Swedish government to announce the gradual reduction of bilateral aid to Mali by 2024.
In response, a Swedish diplomat in Bamako, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed receipt of the expulsion notice, while stressing that the process of closing the Swedish embassy was already underway and was expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Sweden also plans to open a new embassy in Dakar, Senegal, in 2025.
Mali, like its neighbor Niger, ruled by military regimes since coups in 2020 and 2023 respectively, has moved closer to Russia and the Wagner paramilitary group, turning its back on the West. Both countries have also severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, accusing Kiev of supporting “terrorist groups” operating in the Sahel region.
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