France Cuts Diplomatic Presence in Mali as Security Crisis Deepens

France has begun scaling down its diplomatic personnel in Mali amid rising insecurity and a worsening blockade imposed by jihadist groups, officials confirmed on Friday.

According to a senior foreign ministry official, Paris is reassessing its operations in the country following escalating threats and disruptions caused by armed groups. The move aligns with similar decisions by other Western nations that have already withdrawn non-essential staff.

Mali continues to grapple with severe instability, intensified by a fuel blockade that has slowed economic activity in the capital, Bamako, and other regions. The disruption has heightened safety concerns for foreign missions and residents.

The country, now under military rule following successive coups, has distanced itself from its traditional Western allies and strengthened ties with Russia. Moscow-linked paramilitary forces have expanded their footprint in Mali, though analysts say their involvement has not produced any significant improvement in security.

Earlier this month, France advised its citizens to leave Mali temporarily as the blockade and ongoing insurgency made movement increasingly unsafe. French officials reiterated concerns over Russia’s role in the Sahel, arguing that the presence of its security contractors has not altered the trajectory of jihadist violence.

Russia’s Africa Corps, which operates under its defence ministry, has stepped up activities in Mali after the withdrawal of the Wagner Group earlier this year. Russian media recently claimed their forces were escorting fuel convoys under attack, although independent verification remains limited.

Meanwhile, jihadist group JNIM issued a new threat this week, vowing to intensify its blockade and declaring that all truck drivers transporting goods to Bamako would henceforth be treated as enemy combatants, an escalation that further complicates the humanitarian and security landscape.