France-Mali tensions escalate over arrest of diplomat accused in alleged coup plot

A diplomatic crisis has erupted between France and Mali following the arrest of Yann Vezilier,a French embassy employee accused by Mali’s military government of plotting to “destabilize” the Sahel country.

Malian authorities allege Vezilier,whom they claim is linked to French intelligence,was recruiting military and civil society figures to orchestrate a coup. The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown by Mali’s junta,which has recently detained dozens of soldiers over similar accusations. France has strongly denied the claims,calling them “unjustified” and demanding Vezilier’s immediate release. Paris insists the diplomat is protected under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and accuses Mali of violating international law. “Discussions are underway to clear up any misunderstanding” and to secure the “immediate release” of the French diplomat accredited to Bamako,” France’s foreign ministry said in a statement,emphasizing that the charges are unfounded.

The dispute marks another low in Franco-Malian relations,which have deteriorated sharply since Mali’s back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta,led by Colonel Assimi Goïta,has expelled French troops and aligned closely with Russia. The diplomatic standoff adds to Mali’s instability,already worsened by years of jihadist violence and political unrest. The military government has delayed promised democratic elections and in June extended Goïta’s rule by five years,drawing international condemnation. Investigations into the alleged coup plot are ongoing,with Mali junta insisting “the situation is completely under control.”