France has responded to Mali’s decision to end its military co-operation agreement, describing it as ‘unjustified’. Mali’s military government had already announced that it was terminating all defense accords, citing several violations of its sovereignty by French forces as well as a “deep degradation of military co-operation with France for some years now.”
France has stated that it believes this decision is unjustified and that any infringement of the bilateral legal framework will be vigorously opposed.
Following two recent coups, France has already begun withdrawing soldiers from the nation.
“France will continue the withdrawal in good order of its military presence in Mali, in line with the commitments it has made to its partners,” a French spokesperson added.
News Central on Tuesday reported that the Malian Government has announced that it is terminating all defence ties with France, the country’s former colonial ruler.
It cited multiple violations of its sovereignty by French troops in the country, and noted a “profound deterioration of the military co-operation with France for some time now”.
Multiple incidents of the French violating the country’s airspace were mentioned in a statement by military spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga.
