Mali Orders Suspension of French Channels France 24, RFI

Mali's ruling junta ordered the suspension of FRANCE 24 television and RFI radio in the country over "false allegations" of abuse by the Malian army.

The government "categorically rejects these false allegations against the valiant FAMa" [Malian Armed Forces] and has launched "a procedure...to suspend the broadcasting of RFI...and France 24 until further notice," said the statement signed by government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga.

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In response, France Médias Monde, the parent company of the two news organisations, said it deplored the decision and protested against the junta's "unfounded accusations".

FRANCE 24 and RFI are subsidiaries of France Médias Monde (FMM), a state-owned holding company.

In the same vein, the French Foreign Ministry condemned the junta's decision, calling it a "grave attack on the freedom of the press".

Moreover, the EU called the order "unacceptable" and an attack on media freedom.

"We consider this to be unacceptable. We deplore this decision and the unfounded accusations" on which it was based, a foreign policy spokeswoman for the bloc, Nabila Massrali, told journalists in Brussels.

"By attacking the freedom of the press, the freedom to inform and to be informed, the junta is continuing and confirming that it is pushing ahead regardless," Massrali added.