More isolated than ever, the Mali The sanctions imposed on Sunday by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are being echoed in Europe. Visit Cédéao announced the border closure and thetrade embargo to put pressure on the military junta. The junta was planning to postpone the return to an electoral process - initially scheduled for February - until the end of 2026. Several African airlines therefore suspended flights to Mali. And French diplomacy chose to support the ECOWAS approach. This decision has resulted in the suspension of Air France flights to Bamako.
The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure regrets the inconvenience caused to air travellers
" The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure informs national and international opinion that the airline Air France has decided, according to information notified to the airport authorities of Mali by its representative in Bamako, to suspend all its flights to and from Bamako until further notice. "The press release, signed by Mrs Dembele Madino Sissoko, head of the Ministry, states. She added: " This abrupt decision was taken by Air France without prior consultation and without any justification being given to the Malian aviation authorities, despite the fact that on Tuesday 11 January the airline had submitted a flight plan reorganised to take account of the situation. ". The Minister " regrets the inconvenience caused to air travellers ".
These inconveniences could be exacerbated if the decision is adopted on a wider scale. The French authorities are asking the EU to take its turn in imposing sanctions on Mali. And on 10 January, the United States announced " welcoming the strong measures taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to defend democracy and stability in Mali following its extraordinary summit on 9 January 2022 ".
According to the online booking sites of Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, it still seems possible to travel to Mali's capital via Istanbul or Addis Ababa as of 13 January.
