France has suspended its counterterrorism cooperation with Mali and declared two Malian embassy staff in Paris persona non grata. This action follows Mali's arrest of Yann Vezilier, a French national accused of plotting a coup, a charge France denies. The situation represents a new low in the strained relationship between the two nations, which has been deteriorating since Mali's military junta assumed power.
Mali's security minister, General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, announced Vezilier's arrest in August 2025, alleging he was acting on behalf of French intelligence services to destabilize the country. According to Mali, the plot was initiated on August 1, with Vezilier mobilizing political leaders, civil society actors, and military personnel. France, however, has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that Vezilier is an accredited member of the French embassy in Bamako and that his arrest violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has been engaged in talks with Bamako to resolve the misunderstanding and secure Vezilier's immediate release.
In retaliation for France's diplomatic move and the expulsion of its diplomats, Mali declared five French embassy staff members persona non grata. These French nationals had already departed Mali. The suspension of counterterrorism cooperation severs a crucial intelligence-sharing channel between the two countries. This move comes as Mali increasingly turns to Russia for security assistance, a significant geopolitical shift in the Sahel region. This realignment is part of a broader trend where Sahelian nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have been scaling back defense cooperation with Paris and seeking new partnerships, largely due to perceived failures in counterterrorism efforts and growing anti-French sentiment.
The strained relationship between France and Mali is not new, dating back to the military coup that brought President Assimi Goita to power nearly four years ago. Since then, Mali has progressively distanced itself from its former colonial power, expelling French forces and seeking Russian security support. President Goita's decision to extend his rule for another five years in June 2025, despite earlier assurances of a return to civilian leadership, and the disbandment of political parties in May 2025, further underscore the consolidation of military authority and a departure from democratic processes.
This diplomatic rupture has significant implications for regional security. Mali has been grappling with a persistent security crisis since 2012, fueled by armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as local criminal gangs. The suspension of French counterterrorism efforts, coupled with Mali's pivot towards Russian security support, creates a complex security landscape in the Sahel. The situation underscores a broader pattern of shifting alliances and growing resentment towards former colonial powers in the Sahel. While France's intervention, initially aimed at combating jihadist groups, has been criticized for its effectiveness and perceived overreach, the withdrawal of its support leaves a void that other actors are seeking to fill. The ongoing diplomatic tensions and the suspension of vital security cooperation highlight the challenges in maintaining stability and addressing the multifaceted security threats within the Sahel region.