The decision came in response to the arrest last month in Bamako of a French embassy staff member, accused of involvement in a plot to destabilize the country.
In retaliation, Malian authorities had previously declared five French diplomats “persona non grata” and ordered them to leave the country.
Paris has now responded by expelling two Malian diplomats from France, further heightening bilateral tensions.
The standoff comes against the backdrop of Mali’s military-led government severing defense ties with France and turning to Russia for support in its fight against armed groups.
In this article:
