Mali demanded that Denmark withdraw its military contingent from the country

Military personnel in Malian capital BamakoMOSCOW, Jan 25Mali has demanded that Denmark withdraw its recently deployed military contingent from the country, according to a communiqué from the transitional government of Mali. According to the statement, the Malian government is «watching with surprise» the deployment of a contingent of Danish special forces on its territory as part of the Takuba mission. The government emphasized that this deployment took place without its consent, «Therefore, without prejudice to relations based on friendship and fruitful cooperation between the Republic of Mali and the Kingdom of Denmark, the Government of the Republic of Mali calls on the Danish side to immediately withdraw the specified contingent from the territory of the Republic of Mali,» the government of the Republic of Mali says. a communiqué, the text of which was read on the air of the national television channel ORTM. Last week, Denmark announced the deployment of a contingent of 90 people to Mali to participate in the Takuba mission in order to protect the civilian population from terrorists. Earlier in January, Radio Sweden, citing the head The country's Foreign Ministry, Ann Linde, announced that Sweden would withdraw its troops from the Takuba Task Force, created by France and its European allies to fight terrorism in Mali. The countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed tough sanctions against Mali after the head Foreign Ministry of the country Abdoulaye Diop said that to complete The transitional period of the elections in February 2022 will not be possible due to the security situation. The association decided to freeze Mali's assets in the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), close the borders and suspend commercial transactions with the country — with the exception of the sale of medical and essential goods. ECOWAS also decided to recall ambassadors to Mali and impose sanctions on financial assistance. The United States and France supported the imposition of sanctions.Elysee Palace reported the death of a French soldier in Mali