Swedish Ambassador Asked To Lift Suitcase From Mali In 72 Hours

JAKARTA - The Swedish ambassador to Bamako was ordered to leave the country within 72 hours. A suitcase lifting order called the Mali foreign ministry follows a statement by the Swedish minister.

Sweden's Minister of International Development and Trade Cooperation, Johan Forsell, previously said his government decided to phase out aid to Mali.

Reported by Reuters on Friday, August 9, there has been no response from the Swedish government regarding the order to remove the ambassador's suitcase.

Mali and neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso have established closer ties with Russia at the expense of former French colonial countries, Nigeria, and the United States.