Norway announced on Thursday the closure of its embassy in Mali, citing the deteriorating security situation in the country since the military takeover, which demanded the withdrawal of international troops.
“The decision to close the embassy in Bamako was made following an assessment of the possibility of preserving Norwegian interests in Mali in light of the security situation in the country,” noted the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. After overthrowing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on August 18, 2020, the Malian junta demanded the withdrawal of the French Barkhane force, effective since 2022, and then requested the withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) by the end of the year.
“When the UN mission comes to an end, it will become more difficult to maintain normal diplomatic activity in the country,” emphasized the Norwegian diplomacy. Besides Mali, the embassy in Bamako represents Norway in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad. A replacement solution is being studied.
However, this closure will not result in a suspension of Norwegian aid, which reached nearly 1.2 billion Norwegian crowns (over 100 million euros) for the entire Sahel region last year, Oslo clarified. The Malian junta has committed to returning power to civilians after elections scheduled for February 2024.
