COPENHAGEN: Denmark said on Monday that it was shutting its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso over challenges posed by recent military coups in the Sahel region as part of its new Africa strategy.
The closures are part of a significant shift in Denmark’s diplomatic focus on the continent. As Denmark shuts down its embassies in Bamako, Mali, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, it plans to open new embassies in Senegal, Tunisia, and Rwanda.
Furthermore, Denmark will strengthen its diplomatic staff in key African nations, including Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana.
To maintain a presence in the region despite the embassy closures, Denmark announced the appointment of a special representative for the African Great Lakes and Sahel region.
This move comes as the political and security landscape in Mali and Burkina Faso has changed following military coups in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Both countries have aligned themselves with Russia, seeking support from the Wagner mercenary group.
Mali’s diplomatic relations with European countries have notably deteriorated, with recent tensions culminating in the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador earlier this month. The Malian military junta ordered the ambassador to leave after a Swedish minister criticized Mali’s growing ties with Russia.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen explained that the reorganization of Denmark’s priorities in Africa is part of a broader strategy by Denmark and the European Union to position themselves as Africa’s “preferred partner” amid the continent’s shifting allegiances between East and West.
“We have a clear interest in the African countries looking towards us in Europe as they chart the course for their future,” Rasmussen said. He emphasized the need to present Europe as an attractive alternative to the increasing influence of China and Russia on the continent.
Denmark will focus on increasing trade relations and implementing water initiatives across Africa. The country plans to allocate one billion kroner ($150 million) in development assistance to new bilateral water projects in the coming years, with 425 million kroner earmarked for 2025 alone.
