Media Wire Express Correspondent
Mali’s government has expelled Sweden’s ambassador, Kristina Kuhnel, and given her 72 hours to leave the country.
This decision follows a statement by Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell, which Mali deemed “hostile.” Forssell had announced that Sweden would begin phasing out bilateral development aid to Mali, citing the nation’s growing ties with Russia. He argued that Sweden could not continue to support a government that openly aligns with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This diplomatic rift highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Sahel region, where countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have increasingly distanced themselves from their traditional Western partners.
These three nations, all governed by military juntas, have been forging closer ties with Russia, causing significant concern among Western nations.
Mali’s expulsion of the Swedish ambassador is part of a broader trend of deteriorating relations between Mali and Western countries.
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Earlier this week, Mali severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, accusing the country of aiding Tuareg rebels who recently claimed responsibility for killing several Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group in Mali.
Sweden had already planned to close its embassy in Bamako by the end of 2024, citing the worsening security situation in the country. Despite this, Sweden indicated that it would continue to engage with the region through its embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
The expulsion not only underscores the tension between Mali and Western nations but also reflects the broader realignment of alliances in the Sahel.
