The country’s airspace has been closed by the authorities of the Junta in retaliation for similar sanctions of Cédéao.
Le Monde with AFP
The Agency for the Security of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA), aerial space management organization in a large part of the continent, has reported to the Malian authorities a violation of their space by a French military aircraft , we learned from the Malian Air Authorities Wednesday, January 12th.
This report made on Tuesday by ASECNA raises the issue of the impact on military operations not only French but also international of the closure by the Mali of its air – and terrestrial borders – in retaliation for West sanctions. similar Africans.
In a statement released Wednesday night, the Malian government ensures “denounced this violation of Mali’s airspace with the French authorities who have, to the remaining, decided to support the sanctions of Cedao, including the closure. Land and aerial boundaries of its member countries with Mali “.
The Government of Malian “declines any responsibility for the risks to which the authors of these practices could be exposed, in the event of a new violation of our airspace,” adds the press release.
Flights between the Subregion and Mali
France, engaged militarily in Mali and Sahel, but also the UN strength in Mali (MINUSMA) constantly conduct flights between the subregion and Mali for supply and operations.
In questioned by AFP, a French military source in Paris said: “At this stage, we have received no formal indication of possible restrictions in the airline.” In addition, “we are bound by Defense agreements “.
“All the procedures have been respected. The plane has filed a flight plan that has been approved by the Malian authorities. And as the procedure follows at each time, at the entrance of the Malian airspace The transponder is rooted in military operating mode. For us, there is no subject, “added the same source. The UN mission has clarified the AFP that until then the operations of MINUSMA were not affected.
ASECNA informed Tuesday the Malian civil aviation that a transport airbus A400 had violated the same day the Malian Order of Suspension of Flights between the Member States of the Economic Community of the States of Africa West (Cédéao) and Mali, indicate documents published on social networks.
Possible derogations
The CEO of Mali Airports, Colonel Lassina Togola, emphasized AFP that these documents were authentic. The device has completed the round trip between Abidjan (Ivory Coast, Neighbor of Mali) and Gao (Mali), where the French army has an important base, specify the documents.
The Asecna says it does not have been informed before the existence of the flight. The device came into contact with Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Niamey (Niger) control centers that reminded him of the entry ban in Malian Space, detail documents. Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Niger are all members of Cédéao.
The device has cut the contact with the control centers and continued its route, report the sheets of the ASECNA. Interviewed whether it meant that the French military flights but also those of the Minusma from Cédéao countries were concerned by the Malian ban, the CEO of Mali airports replied that “borders are closed to the countries of the Cédaeao, therefore (…) aircraft can not come to Mali from these states “.
“However, by way of derogation, an authorization may be granted at the request of the carrier,” he added, without specifying whether the devices of the French anti-dwelling force or those of MINUSMA benefited from an exemption.
The Cédéao has, among other measures, ordered Sunday the closure of the borders of its Member States with Mali to sanction the project of the junta to maintain several years after two coups. Mali ordered the closure of its borders in return.
ASECNA has not responded to the solicitations of AFP. Several civilian airlines from the region have suspended their flights to Mali.