Like Niger, Mali Officially Withdraws from the International Organisation of La Francophonie

Mali announced its withdrawal from the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) on Tuesday, a day after Niger did the same. The junta-led government said it could not remain in an organisation whose actions were “incompatible with constitutional principles” and its sovereignty.

Mali cannot remain a member of an organisation whose actions are incompatible with constitutional principles… based on the sovereignty of the state, the foreign ministry said in a letter to its French counterpart.

The OIF, a Paris-based bloc that promotes the French language and cultural cooperation among its 93 member states, had suspended Mali in August 2020 after a military coup toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. It had called for his release and a civilian-led transition.

Niger had already distanced itself from the OIF before officially withdrawing on Monday.

The Nigerien government has independently decided to withdraw Niger from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the foreign ministry said.

The country was suspended in December 2023 after its military overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July. The organisation had demanded Bazoum’s release and a return to constitutional rule. The deposed president and his wife remain in custody.

Since the coup, Niger’s military rulers have severed ties with France and strengthened alliances with fellow juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as Russia. In January, Niger left ECOWAS, joining Mali and Burkina Faso in forming the Alliance of Sahel States, now a confederation.

Niger had also made symbolic moves away from its colonial past. Shortly before the coup, it replaced its national anthem, La Nigérienne, which was composed by a Frenchman, with For the Honour of the Fatherland, a song referencing anti-colonial struggle.

Mali’s exit from the OIF comes as Burkina Faso prepares to follow. The junta in Ouagadougou has officially notified the organisation of its withdrawal. The three juntas have also completely withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to establish their own Sahel confederation, which reports indicate is making significant progress.

Read More: Confederation of Sahel States Investment Bank to Launch with Over $820m Initial Capital

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