Sweden’s ambassador to Bamako, Kristina Kuhnel, has been ordered to leave Mali within 72 hours due to a “hostile” statement by a Swedish minister. This move highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Sahel region, with junta-led states like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger turning towards Russia.
Minister Johan Forssell announced the decision to phase out aid to Mali over its ties to Moscow, citing the country’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Mali, ruled by a military junta since 2020, has aligned itself with Russian mercenaries in conflict with Tuareg rebels in the north.
This diplomatic rift underscores the growing influence of non-traditional allies in the region, as Western powers lose ground to Russia. The complex interplay of politics and military cooperation is reshaping alliances and power dynamics in the Sahel, with long-standing partnerships being challenged and redefined.