The appears to be further deterioration in the relationship between the Malian authorities and France, the junta has announced the suspension of operational licenses of Radio France International (RFI) and France 24, two media agencies that depend on the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Their approval to establish and operate has been withdrawn. This was decided by the High Authority for Communication (HAC). 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the media regulatory body said it had taken this measure following shortcomings noted over the past months in the treatment of news about Mali.

The HAC said its Ethics, Disputes and Deontology Commission has been examining RFI and France24 programmes about Mali since January.

It mentions in particular, reports on alleged exactions by the Malian army in the centre of the country and the alleged disappearances of Mauritanian citizens at the border with Mauritania.

This decision follows the suspension in March of France24 and Radio France Internationale throughout the country.

This followed reports in which the two media outlets accused the Malian military of abuses against civilians in their war against terrorism in the centre of the country.

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