Denmark announces the closure of its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso, citing regional instability and shifting diplomatic priorities in West Africa.

As part of its new African cooperation strategy, Denmark has announced the closure of its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso.

On Monday, the Foreign Ministry stated that the military coups in both nations have restricted “the extent of operations within the Sahel region”.

Instead of doing so, it intends to establish fresh missions in Senegal, Tunisia and Rwanda while bolstering its diplomatic personnel in the embassies situated in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

A special representative will be designated by Copenhagen for the Sahel and Great Lakes area in response to the closures at Bamako and Ougadougou.

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The West’s relationship with the two African nations has worsened following Mali’s coup in 2020 and Burkina Faso’s uprising in 2022.

Since then, both of them have sought assistance from Russia and its Wagner group of mercenaries.

The Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, stated that his nation’s revision of its African interests aligns with the European Union’s objective to become Africa’s “preferred collaborator.”

He stated that the EU needs to showcase itself as a compelling substitute for heightened Chinese and Russian authority in Africa.

The main emphasis of Denmark’s latest strategy lies in boosting trade and developing support for water projects.