Military government in Mali accuse French President Emmanuel Macron of having a “neo-colonial” attitude.
The military government in Mali has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of a “neo-colonial, paternalistic and condescending” attitude. The official statement was released by the government spokesperson Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga on Mali’s state TV and radio station ORTM and posted to the station’s Facebook page. The junta asked Mr. Macron to stop his criticism of the Malian army and stirring “ethnic hatred”. It follows Mr. Macron’s remarks last week during his tour in West Africa that regional states had the responsibility to ensure Malian people can “express the sovereignty of the people”. Mr. Macron also criticized the deployment of Russian mercenaries in Mali – which Mali denies. The transition government demands President Macron definitely abandon his neo-colonial, paternalistic and condescending stance.