Mali Joins Burkina Faso, Niger In Withdrawing From La Francophonie

Mali has officially announced its withdrawal from the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), following the lead of Burkina Faso and Niger.

The Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country could not remain in an organisation whose actions contradict its constitutional principles, particularly regarding state sovereignty.

This decision further deepens the rift between these three West African nations—each governed by military regimes—and France, as they continue to assert their independence.

Burkina Faso and Niger had previously exited the OIF, condemning it as a politically motivated tool that selectively applies sanctions and undermines their sovereignty.

The withdrawal also aligns with broader geopolitical shifts in the Sahel, where military leaders are distancing themselves from France and seeking new alliances, particularly with Russia.

This growing break from France is increasingly reflected in symbolic acts, such as renaming streets and monuments that once honored the former colonial power.