The United States government has praised the people of Mali for their resilience and determination in standing up to terrorism and violent extremist organizations.If You’re Reading From Phoenix Click On Read Original To Read Full Article
The Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave the commendation on Monday in a congratulatory message on Mali’s 65th independence anniversary.
Rubio noted that America remains a committed partner of the country, and “will continue to work with you to advance mutual commercial opportunities and interests.”
In recent months, the U.S. has increased intelligence sharing with Mali’s government to fight off Islamist extremists in West Africa, according to The Washington Post.
The military junta will remain in power until at least 2030 after the leader, General Assimi Goïta, was granted a five-year presidential term by the transitional parliament in July.
Goïta pulled Mali out of the Economic Community of West African States and aligned with other military-led regimes in Niger and Burkina Faso to form the Confederation of Sahel States.
The president has been deepening Mali’s relationship with Russia, which he visited in June to cement cooperation agreements on agriculture, defense, and energy, among other sectors.
But the nation’s bilateral relations with France cracked this month as the French government suspended counterterrorism cooperation and ordered two diplomats to leave Paris.
The action was in retaliation for Mali’s declaration of five French embassy officials persona non grata after Yann Vezilier, a staff member, was arrested for alleged espionage. France has denied the allegation.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
