Mali denounces a “violation” of its airspace by a French military plane

Published on : 01/13/2022 – 09:08

The Malian airspace subject to controversy. A report made on Tuesday January 12 by the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (Asecna) raises the question of the impact on military operations not only French, but also international, of the closure by Mali of its air (and land) borders, in retaliation for similar sanctions from ECOWAS.

In a press release published Wednesday evening, the Malian government claims to have “denounced this violation of Mali’s airspace to the French authorities who have, moreover, decided to support the sanctions of the ECOWAS, including the closure of land borders and air travel from its member countries with Mali “.

The Malian government adds, in the press release, that it “declines any responsibility relating to the risks to which the authors of these practices could expose themselves, in the event of a new violation of our airspace”.

France, militarily engaged in Mali and the Sahel, but also the UN force in Mali (Minusma), constantly carry out flights between the sub-region and Mali, for supplies and operations.

Asked by AFP, a French military source in Paris said: “At this stage, we have not received any official indication regarding possible air restrictions.” In addition “we are bound by defense agreements”.

“All the procedures were respected. The plane submitted a flight plan which was approved by the Malian authorities. And as required by the procedure followed each time, at the entrance to Malian airspace, we switch the transponder in military mode of operation. For us, there is no subject, “added the same source.

The UN mission told AFP that until then, Minusma’s operations had not been affected.

An authorization to fly over Mali possible “by exemption”

Asecna informed the Malian Civil Aviation on Tuesday that a transport Airbus A400 had violated the Malian order on the same day to suspend flights between ECOWAS member states and Mali, documents published on social networks indicate. .

The CEO of Mali’s airports, Colonel Lassina Togola, told AFP that the documents were authentic.

The aircraft made the round trip between Abidjan (Ivory Coast, neighboring Mali) and Gao (Mali), where the French army has a large base, the documents say. Asecna says it was not previously informed of the existence of the theft. The device came into contact with the control centers of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Niamey (Niger) who reminded it of the ban on entry into Malian space, the documents detail.

Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Niger are all members of ECOWAS.

The device cut off contact with the control centers and continued on its way, report the Asecna files.

Asked if this meant that French military flights, but also those of Minusma from ECOWAS countries, were affected by the Malian ban, the CEO of Mali airports replied that “the borders are closed to countries of ECOWAS, therefore (…) aircraft cannot come to Mali from these States “.

“However, by derogation, an authorization may be granted at the request of the carrier,” he added, without specifying whether the devices of the French anti-jihadist force or those of the Minusma benefited from an exemption.

The ECOWAS, among other measures, ordered Sunday the closure of the borders of its member states with Mali to sanction the junta’s plan to remain in power several years after two coups d’état. Mali in return ordered the closure of its borders. Several civilian airlines in the region have suspended flights to Mali.

With AFP