France is pressing Mali for the swift release of a French embassy employee arrested in Bamako, with officials insisting he is entitled to protection under international law. Malian authorities allege the man was working for French intelligence and accused “foreign states” of plotting to destabilize the country. The arrest comes amid wider tensions, as the junta announced it had also detained dozens of soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the government. Since taking power through successive coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali’s leaders have distanced themselves from former colonial ruler France, pivoting toward Russia for political and military support. The case underscores the deepening rift between Bamako and Paris, set against a backdrop of ongoing jihadist violence and political unrest.
RFI
