Malian Junta Orders French Broadcasters RFI, France 23 Off Air
Mali’s ruling junta has ordered French broadcasters RFI and France 24 off the air.
Leaders complained the broadcasters had falsely accused the Malian army of committing abuses, officials said Thursday.
The Bamako government “categorically rejects these false accusations against the courageous FAMA (Malian Armed Forces),” spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said.
The junta is starting proceedings to suspend broadcasts by RFI and France 24 “until further notice,” he added.
The European Union criticized the ban as “unacceptable” and said the accusations were “unfounded.”
The French government has also condemned the ban.
Last month, Mali ordered French troops out of its sovereign territory.