Continuing to "break up" with Paris, 3 Sahel countries together leave the International Organization of La Francophonie

On March 18, the Malian military government announced its decision to leave the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), just one day after allies Niger and Burkina Faso took similar steps.

Tiếp tục 'dứt tình' với Paris, 3 nước Sahel cùng nhau rời khỏi Tổ chức Quốc tế Pháp ngữ

After Niger and Burkina Faso, it is the turn of the Mali military government to leave the International Organization of La Francophonie. (Source: Wadr)

Mali's membership in the OIF was suspended in August 2020 after a military coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Xinhua news agency reported. The decision came in the context of Mali cutting ties with France.

The OIF has called for the release of Mr Keita, who has been in power since 2013, as the West African nation faces a protracted security, political and economic crisis. It also called for the rapid establishment of a civilian-led transitional government.

Previously, on March 17, Niger officially announced its withdrawal from the OIF, reflecting a change in policy by the ruling military government, which has a confrontational stance towards Paris. Niger is where the OIF was established in 1970 and French is the official language here, spoken by about 13% of the population, or more than 3 million people.

OIF spokesperson Oria K. Vande Weghe confirmed this information on TV5 Monde on the evening of March 17, stating that Niger's decision was beyond OIF's control and was an "unexpected loss" in a geopolitical context that is undergoing many changes.

Niger was previously suspended from the OIF, just months after the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. The OIF demanded that Niger restore constitutional order and release Mr. Bazoum, who is still being held with his wife at the presidential palace.

Along with Niger and Mali, according to Burkina Faso's official news agency AIB on March 18, this country also officially withdrew from OIF on February 28.

The Paris-based OIF currently has 91 members, including countries and territories, with the aim of promoting the French language and cultural diversity as well as supporting education. The withdrawal of three Sahel countries - Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso - will certainly affect the role and influence of this organization in West Africa.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tiep-tuc-dut-tinh-voi-paris-3-nuoc-sahel-cung-nhau-roi-khoi-to-chuc-quoc-te-phap-ngu-308085.html