UN reacts after expulsion of its spokesperson in Mali

The United Nations mission in Mali (Minusma) expressed in a press release its regrets, following the expulsion of its spokesperson, Olivier Salgado, in this West African country.

Mr Salgado angered Mali’s leaders by saying they had been informed of the arrival of Ivorian soldiers, whom the army-led government accused of being “mercenaries” planning to destabilize the transition.

Bamako not having digested this words, ordered Olivier Salgado on Wednesday to leave the country in three days. The authorities described his statements as “unacceptable”.

A prominent pro-Russian activist group, Yerewolo Debout sur les Remparts, is expected to stage anti-Minusma protests on July 29 as it demands the departure of peacekeepers by September 22, when Mali marks the its independence day.

Recall that Togo has initiated mediation between Mali and Ivory Coast on the 49 Ivorian soldiers detained.