By HAN News Desk
PARIS — France has announced it will withdraw part of its diplomatic staff from Mali due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation, as the West African nation grapples with a crippling fuel blockade imposed by jihadist groups. The French government confirmed the decision on Saturday but did not disclose the number of staff departing or which departments would be affected, citing security reasons.
The move comes amid an unprecedented fuel crisis that has severely disrupted daily life in the capital, Bamako, and several regional towns. The blockade, attributed to jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, has brought transportation to a standstill, hindered food distribution, and left hospitals struggling to power essential medical equipment. Residents report long lines at empty petrol stations, rising prices for basic goods, and growing anxiety as public services falter.
France’s decision marks another step in the ongoing breakdown of relations between Paris and Mali’s military rulers, who seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021. The Malian junta—like those in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger—has distanced itself sharply from its former colonial ally. Over the past three years, Mali has expelled French troops, suspended defense cooperation agreements, and increasingly turned toward Russia for military and political support.
Russian military advisers and private contractors, including members of the Wagner Group and its successor structures, have been active in Mali since late 2021. However, French officials and independent analysts say their presence has not improved security conditions, noting that jihadist groups continue to expand control in rural areas and intensify attacks on government forces and civilians.
Earlier this month, France urged all its citizens still in Mali to leave the country “as soon as possible,” warning that the fuel blockade and worsening security conditions could further restrict movement and access to essential services. The French embassy has reduced its public operations, and officials acknowledge that maintaining normal diplomatic activities has become increasingly difficult.
European Union officials have also expressed concern about the humanitarian effects of the blockade, warning that if the crisis continues, it could deepen food insecurity and trigger displacement within Mali and across borders.
The situation in Mali is part of a wider security collapse in the central Sahel region. Burkina Faso and Niger, both under military rule, have likewise shifted away from Western partners and strengthened ties with Russia. All three countries have faced persistent attacks from jihadist factions, despite launching joint security initiatives under the so-called Alliance of Sahel States.
Security analysts caution that the current strategy of the juntas—relying increasingly on Russian support while sidelining Western and regional institutions—has yet to stem the violence. Instead, jihadist groups have taken advantage of the political vacuum, expanding operations and blockading key supply routes such as the one now affecting Mali’s fuel reserves.
With France’s latest withdrawal, diplomatic engagement in Mali faces new challenges. French officials say the decision is temporary, but acknowledge that future adjustments may depend on whether the security environment stabilizes.
For now, France maintains only a limited presence in Mali, focused on consular services and political liaison. The partial pullout underscores growing concern in Paris that conditions could deteriorate further if the fuel blockade continues or if jihadist groups advance closer to major urban centers.
As Mali’s crisis deepens, the international community is watching closely, aware that further instability in the country could have far-reaching consequences for the Sahel and beyond.
