Bamako, Aug 11, (dpa/GNA) – In the dispute over Mali’s relationship with Russia, the West African country has expelled Sweden’s ambassador.
The diplomat must leave the country within 72 hours, after Sweden’s minister for Development Aid and Foreign Trade, Johan Forssell, “made a hostile statement about Mali,” the Foreign Ministry in Bamako announced on Friday.
Sweden had already announced in June that it would close its embassy in Mali’s capital Bamako, as well as in neighbouring Burkina Faso, by the end of the year, and halt development cooperation payments to both countries and several others.
“You cannot support Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and at the same time, receive several hundred million kronor in development funds every year,” Forssell wrote on social media platform X on Wednesday.
Mali has received military support from Russian mercenaries of the former Wagner Group since 2021, and severed ties with Ukraine a few days ago, accusing it of supporting international terrorism.
A Ukrainian intelligence official had earlier said that Kiev supported rebels in northern Mali, in an attack that reportedly killed up to 84 Russian mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers.
Representatives of Ukraine rejected the accusations and stated, that they adhere to international law and the inviolability of other countries’ borders.
Niger also severed its diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
GNA