France-Mali: Paris Suspends Terrorism Cooperation

Diplomatic relations between France and Mali has taken a different twist over the weekend following Paris’s suspension of counter-terrorism cooperation with Bamako and ordering the departure of two Malian diplomats. The two expelled Malian diplomats were given forty eight hours to leave France. The move according to AFP follows the arrest of a French envoy in Bamako last month. Malian authorities said the French national had been arrested on suspicion of working for Paris's intelligence services, and accused “foreign states” of trying to destabilize the country. The man was arrested along with two Malian generals, and accused of participating in a plot to destabilize Mali. A foreign official working on Mali said he was a former French military officer working on terrorism issues. The French diplomatic source said, Mali has declared persona non grata to “five staff members” of the French embassy in Bamako, who had already left the country on Sunday. In August, France said, it was in talks with Mali to “clear up any misunderstanding” and secure the “immediate release” of the arrested envoy. Paris has called Bamako's claims of destabilization “unjustified,” and said the embassy employee should be freed under diplomatic immunity, without which, the source added, “other measures” would be implemented soon...