Mali expels Swedish ambassador

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali has issued an order for Swedish Ambassador to Bamako Kristina Kühnel to leave the country.

The ambassador was summoned to the ministry on August 9, 2024, Caliber.Az reports citing the ministry’s message on X.

Mme l'Ambassadeur de Suède à Bamako convoquée aux AE, ce 9/8/2024, a reçu la notification de quitter le territoire malien sous 72 h, suite à la déclaration hostile de Son Ministre de la Coopération internationale et du Commerce sur le Mali. Un communiqué suivra. pic.twitter.com/9UBNju4QIV

— Ministère des Affaires étrangères du Mali (@MaliMaeci) August 9, 2024

She was given a 72-hour notice to leave Mali in response to "hostile statements" made by Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell regarding Mali. Further clarifications are expected to follow.

Forssell said on August 7 that the government had decided to phase out aid to Mali.