Mali expels Swedish ambassador over “hostile” comment

Mali's foreign ministry said Friday that Sweden's ambassador to Bamako, Kristina Kuhnel, must leave the country within 72 hours after what it described as a "hostile" remark by a Swedish Minister, Reuters reports. Sweden's minister for international development cooperation and trade, Johan Forssell, had criticized Mali's ties with Russia and announced Sweden’s decision to phase out development aid to the country, citing Mali's support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This diplomatic rift highlights the growing geopolitical shift in the Sahel region, where Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are increasingly aligning with Russia and distancing themselves from Western allies. Mali, under military junta rule since 2020, has been collaborating with Russian Wagner mercenaries in its conflict with Tuareg rebels.

Sweden had previously announced plans to close its Bamako embassy by the end of the year. Forsell’s spokesperson said the decision to end development assistance was taken last December and that humanitarian aid would continue.