The new Canadian Ambassador to Mali, Mr. François Lafrenière, received an audience last week with the Minister of Education, Ms. Sidibé Dédéou Ousmane. Strengthening cooperation in the education sector, difficulties, expectations and other issues were the focus of the exchange. Despite all the joy about this meeting, the two personalities had a fruitful exchange in a family atmosphere.

The Canadian diplomat intends to continue the dynamics of cooperation between the two countries. Starting in the 1970s, when it was limited to a very small number of scholarship offers (2 to 3 professors) and the support of a few collaborating partners in secondary education, Canada-Mali collaboration has not evolved. It was particularly marked by the opening of an office of the Canadian Embassy in Bamako in 1974 and in particular by the signing of the first General Agreement on Development Cooperation on June 21, 1984.

Mali today remains one of the six African countries where Canadian aid is focused, primarily through its five-year bilateral program that addresses specific issues such as the environment, openness, economic development, poverty alleviation, good governance, and others. It should be noted that Canada’s “bilateral assistance” to Mali began in 1961, a year after our country gained independence.

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African Union: A horse from France succeeds Macky Sall as president

Comoros President Azali Assoumani was elected President of the African Union (AU) on February 18, 2023. He follows the Senegalese Macky Sall for one year. It is the first time that an island nation with limited diplomatic clout has been given such a level of responsibility. “Through this position, we demonstrate that African islands have their place and legitimacy in the affairs of the continent.‘ Youssouf Assoumani, the Comorian ambassador to the AU, told the press. Until then, the rotating presidency was traditionally the forecourt of “large» African nations. But although the Comoros embassy in Addis Ababa has been strengthened, several diplomats question the archipelago’s ability to carry out the mission.

According to many observers, French diplomacy played a major role in Azali Assoumani’s election. “First, France wanted to avoid disagreements within the AU… And there is an opportunity for us, the Comoros, to play a mediating role. We can send messages, especially in the Sahel where Mali has problems with France‘ a Comorian official told the press. In addition to this offer of mediation, Paris also believes that Moroni has the advantage of being one of the few African countries that has openly opposed the Russian-led war in Ukraine. Most of the countries on the continent have opted for non-alignment…

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