Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Exit Francophonie Organization

The three Sahel nations, led by military regimes, cite sovereignty concerns and align with their regional alliance, rejecting French influence.

Mali announced its withdrawal from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) on March 18, 2025, following similar decisions by Niger and Burkina Faso a day earlier.
The three nations, all led by military juntas, claim the OIF's actions conflict with their constitutional principles centered on state sovereignty.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso had previously been suspended from the OIF after military coups, with the organization maintaining limited cooperation focused on civilian benefits and democracy restoration.
This move reflects a broader geopolitical shift in the Sahel region, with the three countries distancing themselves from France and forming the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).
The OIF, based in Paris, promotes the French language, cultural cooperation, and democratic values, but has faced criticism from these nations as incompatible with their sovereignty-focused policies.