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Denmark shuts embassies in junta-led Mali and Burkina Faso following military coups

  • Denmark is opening embassies in Senegal, Tunisia and Rwanda as part of its new orientation in Africa

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Junta supporters wave a Russian flag in the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 2022. File photo: AP

Denmark said on Monday it was shutting its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso as part of its new Africa strategy, as military coups have “severely limited the scope for action in the Sahel region”.

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Denmark said it would open embassies in Senegal, Tunisia and Rwanda, and bolster diplomatic staff at its embassies in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

Following the closures in Bamako and Ouagadougou, a special representative will be appointed for the African Great Lakes and Sahel region, it said.

Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to Russia and its Wagner mercenary group for support since military leaders seized power in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Mali’s relations with European countries have deteriorated recently.

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