Mali Bans French-Funded NGOs

The military government in Mali has banned all Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs that are funded or supported by France from operating in the country.

Report says humanitarian groups are included in the ban.

In a statement, the junta said the move followed France’s decision to stop development aid over Bamako’s alleged use of paramilitaries from the Russian Wagner group.

Mali’s interim Prime Minister Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga denied those allegations, saying they were aimed a destabilising the country.

However, he said the Russians were working as instructors.

Mali’s foreign ministry described the French government as “dehumanising aid for our people” and said France was using the funds to “blackmail governments and support the terrorist groups in Mali”.

The ministry said it had in response decided to “ban with immediate all the operations undertaken in Mali by NGOs funded or technically supported by France, including humanitarian organisations”.

Three months ago Paris withdrew French troops working with Mali to counter jihadist groups.

BBC/CO