Mali expels Swedish envoy in response to aid suspension over support for Russia
Photo: Mali expels Swedish ambassador (flickr by Maggie)
Mali has decided to expel the Swedish ambassador after Stockholm announced the suspension of bilateral aid to the African country, according to a statement from Mali's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mali's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Swedish ambassador has been given 72 hours to leave the country.
The decision was explained by the ministry as a response to what they termed as a "hostile" statement made by Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell.
What the Swedish Minister said
A few days ago, Johan Forssell, the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Trade, announced the government's decision to end its bilateral aid strategy for Mali in 2024.
"You cannot support Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and at the same time receive several hundred million crowns each year in development aid," the Swedish official stated.
What preceded
Mali severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine after Tuareg rebels from the CSP-PSD movement defeated a convoy of Wagner Group mercenaries in the African country.
According to reports, over 20 Russian mercenaries were killed, with some others captured.
For more details on Mali's reaction to this incident, see the RBC-Ukraine material.
