The issuance of visas to French nationals at Mali’s embassy in Paris has been put on indefinite hold, according to the country’s foreign ministry.
It claimed in a statement that the action was reciprocal and came after it “learned with surprise” that Mali had been designated as being in a “red zone” by France due to alleged “strong regional tensions”.
This week, France’s embassy in Bamako, the capital of Mali, closed its visa center and halted the issuance of new visas.
According to reports, the military overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum’s democratically elected government in Niger about two weeks ago, causing tensions in the region.
The junta-run governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have vowed support for the Niger coup and issued warnings against any military action there.
Since Malian troops took control in military coups in 2020 and 2021, relations between Mali and France have been strained.
The military junta leaders hired mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group, which prompted France to withdraw its forces last year.
Source-BBC
