A French diplomat has been held in Mali for more than two weeks after being accused by the ruling junta of espionage and attempting to destabilise the government, in a case that has plunged relations between Paris and Bamako into deeper crisis.
The diplomat, identified as the second secretary of the French embassy in Bamako, was arrested in mid-August by Malian intelligence services.
Authorities allege he played a central role in an “attempt to destabilise the institutions of the Republic.”
His detention comes alongside the arrest of nearly sixty individuals, including two generals, as the Malian government expands its investigation.
France has strongly condemned the accusations, describing them as “baseless,” and insists the diplomat is entitled to full immunity under international law. “His detention is illegal and unjustified,” the French Foreign Ministry said, adding that negotiations to secure his release have made little progress.
The case has heightened tensions between the two nations, whose relations have been steadily deteriorating since Mali’s 2020 coup and the subsequent withdrawal of French forces from Operation Barkhane.
Bamako’s closer ties with Russia have further deepened mistrust, leaving few remaining channels of dialogue.
Malian officials have defended the arrests as necessary to “advance investigations” and safeguard the country’s institutions.
However, the secrecy surrounding the diplomat’s location and the scale of the crackdown have raised concerns among international observers and the wider diplomatic community in the capital.
The French consulate in Bamako has advised its citizens and staff to exercise heightened vigilance as the standoff continues. Analysts warn the episode risks triggering a prolonged diplomatic standoff and could further isolate Mali at a time when its regional and international relations remain fragile.
With neither side showing signs of compromise, the fate of the detained diplomat has become a test case for the already strained relationship between Mali and its former colonial power.
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