Air France Suspends Flights to Mali

Air France suspended flights to Mali due to security risks in the West African nation, an airline spokesperson announced on Monday.

The decision followed sweeping new sanctions and border closures imposed by the regional bloc.

On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed on a raft of restrictions against Mali, including the suspension of financial transactions, over the interim authorities' failure to hold democratic elections next month as agreed after a 2020 military coup.

Moreover, Mali’s neighbours closed their road and air borders, prompting regional airlines such as Ivory Coast’s national carrier Air Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso’s Air Burkina to halt flights to the Malian capital Bamako.

In response, Mali’s interim government has condemned the latest sanctions as illegal and illegitimate and urged citizens to remain calm.

Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron said France would start closing its bases in northern Mali.

“The shutdowns of these sections will start in the second half of 2021 and be completed by early 2022,” Macron told a press conference following summit talks with the leaders of five West African nations.