Mali said it was "ruling nothing out" in regard to its relationship with France on Friday after France’s foreign minister said that a standoff with an “out of control” junta in Mali was untenable, and that Paris was discussing with partners how to adapt its operations to continue the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel state.
Tensions have escalated between Mali and its international partners after the junta failed to organise elections following two military coups.
It has also deployed Russian private military contractors, which some EU countries have said is incompatible with their mission.
“The junta is truly out of control,” the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, told RTL radio, also calling it illegitimate.
“European, French and international forces are seeing measures that are restricting them. Given the situation, given the rupture in the political and military frameworks we cannot continue like this,” he said.
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop later said on Friday that his government was "ruling nothing out" regarding its relations with France amid the growing tension between the two countries.
Speaking to French broadcaster RFI, Diop added that the question of French troops leaving the conflict-torn country "is not on the table for the moment.
"If a presence at a given moment is judged to be contrary to the interests of Mali, we will not hesitate to assume our responsibilities," Diop said, adding that "we are not at that point".
Diop, referring to Le Drian's statements, also said that engaging with Mali should not be done via the media.
Denmark pulling troops out of Mali
Denmark said on Thursday it was pulling its troops out after the junta insisted on an immediate withdrawal.
France and 14 other European countries urged the junta on Wednesday to allow Danish special forces, part of a broader European task force created to fight Islamist militants, to remain in Mali.
They rejected the junta’s claims their presence was without legal basis. The junta rejected that.
Defence ministers from those countries will hold crisis talks later on Friday.
“We cannot stay like this,” Le Drian said when asked if European forces should remain in Mali. “We are holding talks with our African and European partners to see how to adapt our forces to continue the fight against terrorism.”
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
