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Mali, France suspend issuing visas as row escalates
France and Mali have suspended issuing visas to each other’s citizens in a heightening of a row between the former allies, diplomats said Thursday.
The French embassy suspended issuing new visas in the Malian capital Bamako earlier this week after Paris placed the country in a “red zone” of countries its citizens are strongly advised not to travel to.
Mali’s junta responded by freezing new visas for French citizens at its embassy in Paris in an act of “reciprocity”, the Malian foreign ministry said.
On Monday, the French foreign ministry issued a travel guidance update advising that “in the current context of strong regional tensions, all travel to Mali is strongly not advised. French citizens in Mali are urged to show the greatest vigilance,” it said.
The higher security classification has entailed a “reorganisation” of services at the French embassy, which means it is “unable to issue visas until further notice”, according to the French online visa service provider Capago.
In a statement posted to social networks late on Wednesday, Mali’s foreign ministry said it had learned of the reclassification “with surprise”.
It said it would apply “reciprocity” and suspend visas issued in Paris.
France and Mali fell out after the military seized power in Bamako in 2020, ousting elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita over failures to stem a bloody jihadist insurgency.
As the dispute escalated and the junta brought in Russian paramilitaries, France began to pull out its anti-jihadist force, under a phased withdrawal that ended last year.
The bilateral spat has coincided with a surge of regional tensions sparked by a coup on July 26 in Niger, a key French ally.
According to the Capago website, France has also suspended issuing visas in Burkina Faso, another one-time ally in the Sahel, which underwent two coups in 2022.
The House of Representatives will commence the defence of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, on Monday after a strategic meeting with chairpersons of statutory committees at the National Assembly.
Bichi emphasized the House’s commitment to ensuring the timely passage of the budget, stating that the legislative body aims to conclude deliberations and approve the budget by the end of January 2025.
It will be recalled that on December 18, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented a ₦49.7 trillion Budget Proposal for 2025 before a joint session of the National Assembly.
The budget, themed “The Restoration Budget: Securing Peace, Building Prosperity,” prioritizes security and defence, infrastructure, health, and education.
In his 30-minute address, President Tinubu highlighted key allocations, including ₦4.91 trillion for defence and security, ₦4.06 trillion for infrastructure, ₦2.4 trillion for health, and ₦3.5 trillion for education, among others.
“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of Nigeria, titled The Restoration Budget—securing peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu declared during the presentation.
The defence sessions are expected to feature critical scrutiny of MDAs’ spending proposals to ensure alignment with national priorities and efficient resource utilization.
The 2025 Appropriation Bill is projected to bolster efforts in economic recovery, infrastructural development, and enhanced service delivery in critical sectors, as the government continues its drive to restore stability and prosperity to Nigeria.
The Government of Ondo State has announced the death of Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025.
In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, it was revealed that the late Oluwatuyi had been involved in a severe road accident on December 15, 2024, while traveling along the Ife-Ibadan Road.
Following the incident, he was hospitalised but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
“It is with profound sadness that the Government of Ondo State announces the passing of Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), on January 4, 2025,” the statement read.
Describing the late politician as a dedicated public servant, Akinlosotu highlighted his significant contributions to the growth and development of Ondo State.
“Hon. Oluwatuyi was a committed public servant whose unwavering dedication to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation greatly impacted Ondo State. His loss leaves a void in our hearts and governance,” he said.
The Ondo State Government extended its heartfelt condolences to the Oluwatuyi family of Akure, as well as to his friends and associates.
“The Government of Ondo State extends its deepest condolences to the Oluwatuyi family, friends, and associates during this difficult time,” Akinlosotu added.
Further details regarding the burial arrangements of the late politician will be announced in due course.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has dissolved the state’s Executive Council, marking the end of the tenure for commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The announcement was made during an executive council meeting held on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Governor Sule expressed his appreciation to the outgone members of the council for their dedication and contributions to the administration and the people of Nasarawa State.
He wished them success in their future endeavors.
“I sincerely thank you for your services to this administration and the people of our dear state. I wish you the very best in your future pursuits,” the governor stated.
To ensure a smooth transition, the governor directed the outgoing commissioners to hand over all government properties and the affairs of their respective ministries to the Permanent Secretaries in their ministries.
Similarly, the outgoing Secretary to the Government is instructed to transfer responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, and Special Services.
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