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Denmark has announced plans to close its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso as part of a broader realignment of its diplomatic strategy in Africa.
The Danish Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that recent military coups in both countries have severely restricted “the scope for action in the Sahel region.”
As part of this strategic shift, Denmark intends to open new diplomatic missions in Senegal, Tunisia, and Rwanda, while also bolstering its presence in existing embassies in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.
Following the closures in Bamako and Ouagadougou, Denmark would appoint a special representative for the Great Lakes and Sahel regions, according to reports from Africanews.
Relations between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Western nations have deteriorated significantly since the military takeovers in Mali in 2020 and Burkina Faso in 2022.
Both countries have increasingly turned to Russia, including the Wagner mercenary group, for military support.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen explained that Denmark’s reorganization of its African priorities aligns with the European Union’s aim to be Africa’s “preferred partner.”
He said that the EU must present itself as a more attractive alternative amidst growing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.
Denmark’s new strategy would focus on boosting trade and increasing development assistance, particularly in water-related initiatives.
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