Mali govt bans aid groups receiving funds from France

The number of banned organizations is not yet clear but is believed to affect dozens including many Malian associations. [iStockphoto]

Mali's government has announced a ban on aid groups that are funded by France, the latest attempt by the coup leader in charge to distance the West African country from its one-time colonizer and former ally in the fight against Islamic extremism.

In a statement read late Monday on national television, the government said the decision was effective immediately and would apply not only to French non-governmental organizations but also those receiving "material or technical support from France."