Bamako – Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, has accused external actors of exploiting the country’s fragile situation by using armed groups to exert pressure on the state. He affirmed that Bamako has reorganized its security apparatus to address the recent fuel shortage crisis.
In an exclusive interview, Diop explained that attacks on fuel supplies followed “heavy defeats” suffered by armed groups. He stated that this prompted them to target “soft targets” in order to disrupt the economy and create panic among the population.
The Minister asserted that authorities had, within a few days, regained control of supply routes by redeploying defense and security forces and organizing military escorts for convoys. He also mentioned the intensification of field operations and securing main roads to ensure the continued supply of resources to Bamako and other regions.
Diop emphasized that Mali is working in “full solidarity” with Niger and Burkina Faso to contain the repercussions of the crisis. He elaborated that the cooperation between the three countries extends beyond media statements to “actual coordination” in the fields of defense, supply, and economy.
Assessing the policy of asserting sovereignty over the past four years, Diop stated that Mali has ended the “neo-colonial model” that placed the country’s security in the hands of external parties. He added that Bamako is now allocating nearly a quarter of its budget to strengthen its defense capabilities.
He clarified that external partnerships are acceptable when they respect three fundamental principles: Mali’s sovereignty, its strategic choices, and its vital interests. He indicated that his country is not looking for a partner to “replace the Malian people” but for cooperation based on mutual respect and support for national capabilities.
Diop also criticized what he described as the “irresponsible practices” of some diplomatic missions that issued security statements without consulting the government. He argued that these statements fueled media narratives about the imminent fall of Bamako, which authorities have denied.
Regarding the withdrawal from ECOWAS, the Minister affirmed that the decision came after a series of sanctions and threats of military intervention against Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. He argued that external forces “exploited the organization” to dictate positions.
