Mali intends to sever all military links with France.

The Malian administration has announced that it is terminating all defense deals with France, the country's former colonial ruler.

It highlighted many instances of French forces infringing on its sovereignty, as well as a "deep degradation of military co-operation with France for some time already."

Multiple instances of the French violating the country's airspace were mentioned in a statement by military spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maga.

Mali also cited France's plan to conclude joint operations with Malian forces and withdraw soldiers from the country in June 2021.

On Monday afternoon, Malian authorities said they informed France of their decision.

France has remained silent about the situation.

After the military seized power in Mali in 2020, relations between the two countries deteriorated.

Mali's decision to recruit fighters from the Russian mercenary outfit Wagner to assist combat Islamists enraged France, while the junta claims they are in the country.