Air France suspends flights to Mali on security risks
Ecowas agreed restrictions against Mali over the interim authorities’ failure to hold democratic elections as agreed after a 2020 military coup
Paris/Bamako — Air France has suspended flights to Mali, an airline spokesperson said on Monday, because of security risks in the West African nation after sweeping new sanctions and border closures imposed by the regional bloc.
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on Sunday agreed a raft of restrictions against Mali, including the suspension of financial transactions, over the interim authorities’ failure to hold democratic elections next month as agreed after a 2020 military coup.
Mali’s neighbours have closed their road and air borders, prompting regional airlines such as Ivory Coast’s national carrier Air Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso’s Air Burkina to halt flights to the Malian capital Bamako on Monday.
Mali’s interim government has condemned the latest sanctions as illegal and illegitimate and urged citizens to remain calm.
Reuters