Mali withdraws from La Francophonie, strengthening break from France

Mali, alongside Niger and Burkina Faso, has officially withdrawn from the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), according to Morocco World News.

“Mali cannot remain a member of an organization whose actions contradict constitutional principles based on state sovereignty,” declared Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This decision marks the latest step in a growing movement among Sahelian nations to reduce French influence in the region.

The OIF, originally established as the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation, was founded in Niger in 1970 to foster collaboration among French-speaking countries worldwide. Founding members included leaders from Tunisia, Senegal, Niger, and Cameroon.

Recent years have seen a wave of military coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, resulting in deteriorating ties with France and a pivot toward Russia, especially for defense support.

Earlier in 2024, these three nations also withdrew from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), accusing the bloc of operating under French influence.

Efforts at mediation, including recent visits by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, have so far failed to shift the Sahelian alliance from its commitment to sovereignty and its continued political and diplomatic realignment away from traditional French ties.