Relationship dossier
France
Mali
Relationship assessment
From close security cooperation to pronounced diplomatic and military confrontation
France toward Mali
-35France intervened militarily in Mali in 2013 at the Malian government’s request and later conducted counterterrorism operations there. France completed the withdrawal of its forces in 2022 after Mali’s transitional authorities demanded their departure; relations became sharply strained.
Mali toward France
-40Mali’s transitional authorities demanded the departure of French forces, and Mali declared the French ambassador persona non grata in January 2022. The government also ended key defense cooperation arrangements with France in 2022, marking a sharp break with earlier security cooperation.
Overall relationship
-35The relationship shifted from substantial French military engagement in Mali, initially undertaken at Mali’s request, to a major rupture after the coups and disputes over the transition. The withdrawal of French forces and the breakdown in defense and diplomatic cooperation define the more recent bilateral relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
France and Mali had substantial security cooperation, including France’s 2013 military intervention at Mali’s request and subsequent operations against armed groups. Relations deteriorated after Mali’s 2020 and 2021 coups. Mali requested the departure of French forces, which was completed in 2022, and the two governments entered a period of pronounced diplomatic and security confrontation.
Areas of tension
- French military presence and the departure of French forces from Mali
- Mali’s transitional authorities and the timetable for a return to civilian rule
- The termination of defense cooperation arrangements
- Diplomatic relations following Mali’s expulsion of the French ambassador
Key developments
France launched Operation Serval in Mali at the request of the Malian government.
Mali declared the French ambassador persona non grata amid escalating diplomatic tensions.
France completed the withdrawal of its forces from Mali after the transitional authorities demanded their departure.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and current status of remaining bilateral agreements are unclear.
- The extent of any continuing government-to-government cooperation after the French military withdrawal is unclear.