Mali has officially announced its withdrawal from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), becoming the third member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to leave the organization after Burkina Faso and Niger earlier this week. The decision, made public on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, is part of a broader assertion of sovereignty by the three Sahelian nations.
In a statement, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation informed France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs—home to the OIF headquarters—of its departure. The statement recalled Mali’s historical role as a founding member of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT), the precursor to the OIF, and its longstanding commitment to the organization’s values.
However, Malian authorities accused the OIF of undermining the country’s sovereignty by imposing selective sanctions since the start of Mali’s political transition. Rather than supporting the will of the Malian people, the government argued, the organization has acted in ways that contradict the constitutional principles governing the country.
Citing the need to protect its national interests and uphold the sovereign right of the people to make independent decisions, Mali declared its withdrawal under Article 10 of the OIF Charter adopted in 2005.
While expressing gratitude to France for hosting the OIF, Mali reaffirmed that its decision aligns with the fundamental values of sovereignty and self-determination that guide its governance.