Mali has announced its withdrawal from the OIF, following Niger and Burkina Faso. The decision stems from a perceived conflict with national sovereignty, as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso establish a new Sahel confederation away from colonial ties with France and the OIF.

Mali, which is currently governed by a junta, has officially declared its departure from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), following similar announcements from its allies, Niger and Burkina Faso. The Mali Foreign Ministry stated that it could no longer be part of an organization whose actions clash with constitutional principles and the sovereignty of the nation.

Previously, Mali had been suspended from the OIF in August 2020 after a military coup led to the ousting of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The organization had advocated for Keita’s release and urged the establishment of a civilian-led transition government following years of political and economic turmoil in Mali.

On the day prior to Mali’s withdrawal, Burkina Faso and Niger, both governed by military regimes that have distanced themselves from France and sought relations with Russia, announced their exits from the OIF as well. Collectively, these three nations have also left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to establish their own Sahel confederation.

Niger itself had faced suspension from the OIF after a coup in July 2023 removed its democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The OIF, headquartered in Paris, promotes the French language and cultural cooperation among its 93 member states, emphasizing political, educational, economic, and cultural collaboration.

In summary, Mali has joined Burkina Faso and Niger in withdrawing from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, citing conflicts with its constitutional values. These nations, all under military rule, have similarly exited ECOWAS to establish their own confederation, aligning their political trajectories away from former colonial influences. This shift marks a significant realignment of alliances within the Sahel region, reflecting broader geopolitical transformations.

Original Source: punchng.com

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