On August 22, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, through a correspondence, revised its position on the application of reciprocity regarding the suspension of visa issuance to French nationals by its consular services.
Less than two weeks after its populist decision described as “reciprocity,” the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, has come to his senses. According to a correspondence available on the digital channels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, Bamako has decided to issue visas to French nationals “with consideration for the situation of dual national compatriots.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, referring to its communiqué by which it suspended, in application of reciprocity, the issuance of visas to French nationals by the Diplomatic and Consular Services of Mali in France,… pic.twitter.com/4f1AIczGe5
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mali (@MaliMaeci) August 22, 2023
It should be noted that the tweet was deleted a few minutes after its publication.
On August 9th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali announced the suspension of visa issuance to French nationals. This decision follows the suspension by the French embassy in Bamako of visa issuance and the closure of the visa center and call center “Capago,” as indicated in a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mali.
Relations between Bamako and France, which has been militarily engaged alongside the Malian army against jihadists since 2013, have deteriorated significantly since military personnel forcibly seized power in the country in August 2020.
