• France suspends counter-terrorism cooperation with Mali following a diplomat's arrest.
• Malian authorities arrested a French national, accusing him of coup plotting.
• Mali retaliates by expelling French embassy staff amid rising tensions.
• The geopolitical landscape has shifted as Mali turns towards Russia for support.
• Security concerns in Mali have escalated due to ongoing insurgencies.

France has officially suspended its counter-terrorism cooperation with Mali and expelled two Malian diplomats in response to the recent arrest of a French national, Yann Vezilier. He was detained under accusations of involvement in a coup attempt against the junta ruling Mali, which French officials have dismissed as "unfounded," emphasizing that Vezilier was acting as an accredited member of its embassy in Bamako, according to Le Monde and Africanews.

Malian authorities assert that Vezilier acted on behalf of France's intelligence services, a claim that has further strained diplomatic ties. In retaliation for the expulsion of its diplomats, Mali has previously expelled five staff members of the French embassy, and further tensions may lead to additional retaliatory measures, as indicated by French officials, reports Africanews and Al Jazeera.

The ongoing situation highlights Mali's shift away from Western support, particularly after its military government established ties with Russia for security assistance. This change follows years of escalating violence from insurgent groups linked to international terrorism, worsening the security crisis in the region. Mali's military junta, led by President Assimi Goita, has been distancing itself from France since taking power, exacerbating the difficulties of international cooperation, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.