Bamako, Mali – Mali has ordered the immediate departure of Sweden’s ambassador, Kristina Kuhnel, accusing the Scandinavian nation of making “hostile” remarks. The expulsion order, issued on Friday, comes amid a deepening rift between Mali and Western powers.
The diplomatic crisis escalated after Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell, announced the phasing out of aid to Mali due to its growing ties with Russia. Forssell linked the decision to Mali’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mali has been governed by a military junta since 2020, and its relationship with Western countries has deteriorated sharply in recent years. The country has increasingly turned to Russia for military support, particularly from the Wagner mercenary group, as it battles a long-standing insurgency in its northern region.
The expulsion of the Swedish ambassador marks a new low in the strained relations between Mali and its former Western partners. The junta in Bamako has faced mounting international pressure over its human rights record and democratic backsliding.
Sweden had already announced plans to close its embassy in Mali by the end of the year. However, the decision to accelerate the ambassador’s departure underscores the severity of the diplomatic fallout.
The Swedish foreign ministry has yet to publicly comment on the expulsion.
Mali’s relations with the West have been further complicated by its decision last week to cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine. The move followed accusations by a Ukrainian diplomat that Kyiv had aided Tuareg rebels who claimed responsibility for the deaths of dozens of Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers. Ukraine has vehemently denied any involvement.
