France Cuts Diplomatic Staff in Mali Amid Rising Insecurity, Jihadist Blockade

France has reduced the number of its diplomatic personnel in Mali following a worsening security situation and a jihadist-imposed fuel blockade, a French foreign ministry source confirmed on Friday.

The ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the move follows similar actions by the United States and the United Kingdom, which have already evacuated non-essential staff.

“France continues to monitor the security situation in Mali closely,” the official said. “In light of the situation, and following the example of several of its partners, it has decided to adapt its diplomatic and consular arrangements.”

Mali, along with Sahel neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger, is now under military junta rule after coups, and the governments have increasingly distanced themselves from France, moving instead towards closer ties with Russia.

Moscow has deployed mercenaries to assist the juntas in countering jihadist insurgencies, though analysts say the Russian presence has done little to stabilise the region.

Earlier this month, France advised its citizens to leave Mali temporarily as the jihadist fuel blockade disrupted daily life in Bamako and other regions.

The West African nation has faced heightened attacks from armed groups, including JNIM, which recently threatened to intensify the blockade and labelled truck drivers as combatants.

French officials also noted that Russia’s military deployments, including the Africa Corps unit and equipment such as bombers, have not sufficiently protected civilians or transport convoys.

Russian state media has acknowledged troop operations in six African countries, including Mali, highlighting the growing geopolitical footprint of Moscow in the region.

The ongoing tensions underscore the precarious balance in Mali, where foreign diplomatic missions are adjusting operations amid persistent threats to security, and civilians continue to face severe disruptions from jihadist activity.