Mali govt bans aid groups receiving funds from France

By BABA AHMED
Associated Press

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali’s government has announced a ban on aid groups that are funded by France. It’s the latest attempt by Mali’s coup leader to distance the West African country from its one-time colonizer and former military ally. In a statement read late Monday on national television, the government said the decision was effective immediately. The ban apparently applies not only to French non-governmental organizations but also to those receiving “material or technical support from France.” The move immediately raised fears for the hundreds of thousands of Malians currently receiving aid. A collective of collective of non-governmental organizations said it would soon propose “a diplomatic solution” to the government.