BRUSSELS (Chatnewstv.com) — The European Union has condemned the arrest of one of its accredited diplomats in Mali, calling it a clear violation of international law and demanding his immediate release.
In a declaration issued Saturday, the EU said Malian authorities detained the diplomat on August 14 in Bamako despite his accredited status and possession of a Malian diplomatic card.
“This arrest constitutes a violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the EU statement read, citing Articles 29 and 30 of the treaty, which guarantee the inviolability of diplomatic agents. “Diplomatic agents may not be subjected to any form of arrest or detention.”
The EU also criticized Malian state media for broadcasting the identity and images of the detained diplomat. “Such dissemination constitutes flagrant attacks on his freedom and dignity, which the receiving State must nevertheless guarantee,” the statement said.
The bloc urged Mali to respect its obligations under international law and release the diplomat without delay. “The European Union calls for the immediate release of this agent and for full respect for the principles of international law,” the declaration said.
Relations between Mali’s military-led government and the EU have been increasingly strained since the 2021 coup, with tensions rising over security cooperation, sanctions, and democratic governance.
