Togo leader takes up Mali mediator role

Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe has agreed to act as a mediator in Mali’s political crisis as the West African country’s junta faces pressure to re-establish civilian rule, their foreign ministers have said. Mali has been in turmoil since the military seized power in August 2020. Relations between former colonial power France and the junta have also deteriorated, with Mali breaking off its defence accords with Paris on Monday, condemning “flagrant violations” of its sovereignty by French troops. Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said Mr Gnassingbe had agreed to act as a mediator in the crisis.