Mali has officially announced its departure from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), following similar moves by its allies, Niger and Burkina Faso.
The junta-led government stated that remaining in the organization was incompatible with its principles of sovereignty.
In a letter addressed to the French foreign ministry, Mali’s foreign ministry declared, “Mali cannot remain a member of an organisation whose actions are incompatible with constitutional principles… based on the sovereignty of the state.”
Mali had already been suspended from the OIF in August 2020 after a military coup ousted former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
The organization had called for Keita’s release and the establishment of a civilian-led transitional government, but Mali’s military leadership has since moved away from French influence.
On Monday, Burkina Faso and Niger, also under military rule, announced their withdrawal from the OIF.
Both countries, like Mali, have distanced themselves from France while strengthening relations with Russia.
The three nations have also left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and have since formed their own Sahel confederation, signaling a broader regional shift away from Western-backed institutions.
Niger was suspended from the OIF after its own military coup in July 2023, which removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power.
The OIF, headquartered in Paris, promotes the French language and fosters cooperation among its 93 member states in various sectors, including politics, education, economy, and culture.
However, its influence in West Africa is waning as former French colonies increasingly reject their colonial past.
As part of their efforts to erase French influence, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have renamed several streets and public spaces in their capitals, replacing French colonial names with local or revolutionary figures.
In Bamako alone, nearly 25 streets, squares, and public buildings have been renamed.
