In UN Speech, Mali PM Denounces France and Praises Russia

Interim Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga addressing the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 24, 2022 at U.N. Headquarters (Source: Independent Tribune)

In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, military-backed Mali Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga denounced France for its military withdrawal from the country, claiming it to be “a stab in the back.” Alongside his denouncement, Maiga spoke firmly of “the exemplary and fruitful cooperation between Mali and Russia” as its Wagner Group establishes its presence in Mali.

Maiga’s anti-French rhetoric stems from a near decade-long military relationship between France and Mali. In 2013, France sent 5,000 troops with the permission and support of the Mali government to counter the rising threat of Islamic terrorist groups—such as Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram—in the Sahel region. French soldiers were met with open arms from the Malian public.

The relationship took a sharp turn as a military junta overthrew the established Mali government in an August 2020 coup. The junta rejected France’s insistence to hold democratic elections, which was evident in the junta’s expulsion of France’s ambassador from Mali.

In response, French President Emmanuel Macron stated, “We cannot remain militarily engaged alongside de facto authorities whose strategy and hidden aims we do not share.” 

Provided with an international platform, Prime Minister Maiga accused France of being “the French junta” that “has damaged universal values and betrayed its long tradition of humanistic thought” and pursued “neocolonial, condescending, paternalistic, and revanchist policies.” 

In tandem with rising anti-French factions of protestors in Mali and across West Africa, Maiga proclaimed, “Move on from the colonial past and hear the anger, the frustration, the rejection that is coming up from the African cities and countryside, and understand that this movement is inexorable. Your intimidations and subversive actions have only swelled the ranks of Africans concerned with preserving their dignity.”

As French troops leave the country and relations sour, Mali has taken intensive steps to allow the Russian mercenary group, the Wagner Group, to replace the military capabilities and responsibilities of France. U.S. officials have reported that the Malian junta is paying $10 million a month for the Russian group’s services. 

As the war in Ukraine continues, Western officials speculate and worry of a security dilemma in which Russian mercenaries expand their influence in the Sahel towards the north. This expansion would place Southern Europe in a position similar to that of Eastern Europe.

With the Sahel continuing to be a region of significant importance to France, President Macron, on July 14’s Bastille Day Parade, announced a new military strategy which calls on other European partners to send their troops to replace the 2,400 French soldiers, and redeploys nearly 2,000 French troops to Chad and Niger. In an increasingly tense and competitive geopolitical climate, France seeks to maintain its military and economic ties to its former African colonies, despite drawbacks and opposition.