In a tone described as "diplomatic", avoiding boasting and confirming the historic break with Paris, the Prime Minister of Mali, Choguel Kokalla Maiga, refused that his country had forced the removal of French soldiers, ending a military operation of nine years to fight armed groups, replacing them with Russians from Wagner.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Choguel Kokalla Maiga rejected the fact that Mali had abandoned military cooperation agreements with France, adding: “We have not abandoned cooperation with France. Let's say that France or the leaders of France are the ones who wanted to impose on our country what should be done, what we should think and what to say. But we told them that this age and age is long gone. We choose and people choose.” “It was the choice of our French friends because now there is a government they don't like after a new President and Prime Minister were appointed. They decided to leave and we said, 'It's your choice.' They were the ones who wanted to leave and thought we were going to beg them to stay,” he exclaimed.
As for the alleged accusation by the French authorities of inciting and questioning the French role in Africa, the Malian ruler is clear: “In fact, we intend to solve our problems, we have no problem with the French people. In France, after the Algerians, the Malians rank second in importance, and the French authorities should look into this matter. Most Malians realize that there is a partnership, and people from other countries should also look into what we've done. If that's not a source of inspiration, that's up to them."
Regarding relations with African nations, especially after the recent African Union summit kept Mali's membership pending, Kokalla Maiga says that “many African leaders understand Mali's position well”. “We are moving towards what the people want, which is to fight terrorism and achieve security and stability and maintain the constitutional system. All this is happening because of pressure from organizations. Even before the summit there was a visit by officials, and after listening to what we heard from them transmitting the situation on the ground to African leaders, I believe that there is a rapprochement of points of view”, he said.
On expectations in relation to African countries in view of the economic and security situation that Mali is going through, Kokalla Maiga trusts that in Mali and neighboring countries there is “another proximity, because we are the same country, the same organization and the same challenges”. “Two or three years ago, the situation was much worse and there were many clashes. But now our army has taken matters into its own hands.” “(…) Now we have a new President of the country who has a clear vision, and the first and main priority is to achieve security – then food security and the provision of health services, then the transition to constitutional organizations and not the other way around ”, advanced.
For the Prime Minister of Mali, “we have carried out many reforms. We have held elections for over 30 years, but we have not reached a result. We have countries in Asia like Afghanistan, which lasted 20 years with foreign forces and then withdrew. That is why the people should be left to solve their problems alone”.
