Mali has ordered Sweden’s ambassador to leave the country within 72 hours, citing a “hostile” statement made by a Swedish minister, the Malian foreign ministry announced on Friday.
The decision follows comments by Johan Forssell, Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Trade, who announced on Wednesday that Sweden would begin phasing out aid to Mali.
The Swedish foreign ministry has not yet responded to the expulsion order.
This move comes as Mali, along with its neighbors Niger and Burkina Faso, strengthens ties with Russia, shifting away from alliances with France, Nigeria, and the United States.
