Mali’s military junta on Wednesday suspended France 24 radio and RFI after accusations of reporting “false allegations”.
Both French public news service had since tackled the suspension and said the decision isn’t acceptable as the accusations were unfounded.
In a statement signed by government spokesman Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, it said the Malian government “categorically rejects these false allegations against the valiant FAMa” [Malian Armed Forces] and has launched “a procedure…to suspend the broadcasting of RFI…and France 24 until further notice,”
Mali, with two coups staged since 2020 is on a collision course with its colonial masters, as new friends have been found in Russia. This has led to both nations severing ties across various fronts.
France had earlier this month announced the withdrawal of its officers in Mali as part of the new situation between both nations.
The Malian junta accused the stations both owned by France Medias Monde of “a premeditated strategy aimed at destabilising the political transition, demoralising the Malian people and discrediting the Malian army.”
FMM in its reply on Thursday said that it will “study all avenues of appeal to ensure that such a decision is not implemented”. The group also harped on its “unwavering commitment to freedom of information and the professionalism of its journalists”.
The European Union has described the suspension as an attack on the freedom of the Press and said it will not be accepted.
“We consider this to be unacceptable. We deplore this decision and the unfounded accusations” Nabila Massrali, an official of the EU told journalists in Brussels.
“By attacking the freedom of the press, the freedom to inform and to be informed, the junta is continuing and confirming that it is pushing ahead regardless,” she stated.
