Denmark to close embassies in Mali, Burkina Faso

Denmark says it will close its embassies in Burkina Faso and Mali — West African countries under military rule.

The Danish foreign ministry said on Monday that the military takeover in both countries limited the scope for action in the Sahel region.

The announcement came alongside a launch of a new strategy for partnerships with Africa which Eva Barløse, Danish undersecretary for foreign policy, spoke of last month during a visit of Nordic ministers to Nigeria.

Relations between coup-hit Sahelian countries and Western nations became brittle after France, former colonial power, condemned the takeovers.

After seizing power, the Niger Republic junta made France’s military exit one of its key demands, a move which neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, both also former French colonies, made after successful coups.

France, a key security ally with the West African nation, was assisting in the fight against jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State and was working to prevent further spread of terrorism across the Sahel.

Capitalising on the anti-Western sentiments in the Sahel, Russia began to make fresh inroads into the continent, stepping up military cooperations with the West African nations.

Lars Rasmussen, Danish foreign minister, said the Nordic country will intensify efforts to flatten Russian influence on the continent.

“One of this century’s most important foreign policy questions is whether Africa will orient itself more towards the East or the West,” Rasmussen said.

“We have a clear interest in the African countries looking towards us in Europe as they chart the course for their future. We must demonstrate that we offer an attractive alternative to the increasing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.

“We will do this through increased investment in Africa and increased trade with African businesses, by cultivating mutual understanding, and by working to ensure that more Africans can come to study in Denmark.”

The foreign ministry said a special representative for the African Great Lakes and Sahel region will be appointed to support continued Danish engagement in the Sahel.

Rasmussen added that the bane of the new strategy is to create equal partnerships with African countries.