Mali has withdrawn from a global alliance of French-speaking countries, days after two of its neighbors took the same step. In a letter seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Mali’s foreign ministry addressed its French counterpart, saying: “The government has decided to withdraw Mali from the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie,” while accusing it of “selective application of sanctions” and “contempt for Mali’s sovereignty.” On Monday, the alliance's spokeswoman said Burkina Faso and Niger had also decided to remove their countries from the organization, which had already suspended the membership of the three countries over military coups in recent years. They will have six months before their withdrawal becomes final.
