Under the leadership of junta leader Assimi Goïta, Mali has been shifting away from Western nations, particularly France, in favor of strengthening ties with Russia.

A Malian court has sentenced a French embassy official to 20 years imprisonment on charges of espionage and undermining state security, as confirmed by judicial sources on Friday.

The diplomat, identified as Yann V., was arrested in August 2025 alongside several Malian officers accused of plotting a coup against the current military leadership. The court also imposed a €5,400 fine and a 20-year entry ban on Mali for the condemned individual.

At the time of his detention, Malian authorities alleged that the diplomat, who worked at the French embassy in Bamako, was collaborating with French intelligence services. They further accused foreign states of attempting to destabilize the country, which has been grappling with ongoing insurgencies.

French authorities have strongly denied these claims, asserting that the charges lack any factual basis. A statement from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared, “Our agent is facing unfounded legal proceedings. The agent was engaged in legitimate security cooperation activities and France has had no direct or indirect involvement in destabilizing Mali.”

Mali has been battling a severe security crisis since 2012, driven by attacks from groups linked to Al-Qaïda and the Islamic State, as well as local criminal networks. Under the leadership of the transitional military government, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, the country has increasingly distanced itself from France and other Western partners, opting instead for closer collaboration with Russia.

This shift mirrors a broader trend in the Sahel region, where military juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have taken power in recent years, pledging to improve security for their populations. However, analysts note that the situation has worsened under military rule, with record-high numbers of attacks and civilian casualties attributed to both jihadist groups and government forces.