French army watches for bombs and potholes as it withdraws from Mali base

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and its sister station Radio France Internationale (RFI), Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Maiga says that since 2012, French authorities have tried to divide his country by fueling autonomy claims in the north. And African countries weigh in on Russia's decision to send troops to Ukraine. Kenya, Gabon and Ghana have condemned Moscow's actions at the UN security council. Finally, Madagascar prepares for a new cyclone to hit its coast.

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24 and its sister radio station Radio France Internationale (RFI), Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Maiga said that since 2012, French authorities have tried to divide his country by fueling autonomy claims in the north. Maiga said it is clear Paris has never deemed the ruling junta government as legitimate, and claims it was “preparing a plan” to overthrow it.

Ukraine has accused Russia of using a vacuum bomb during its invasion. The use of these weapons, whose destructive power is immense, is prohibited in populated areas.

Former French colony Mali recently expelled the French ambassador and asked the French military to withdraw. The Yerewolo movement would like to cut ties entirely — and move closer toward Russia.

Human Rights Watch says that Mali's military has killed dozens of people in its crackdown on extremists. Jihadist groups are also accused of ramping up violence since December. Abuses on both sides may amount to war crimes. Plus, women from sub-Saharan Africa who live in Tunisia often struggle to be accepted and many migrants face racism. And we take a look at Uganda's only licensed cannabis farm, which grows only for export as use of the crop is still illegal in the country.

Britain said keeping its judges in Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal would "legitimize oppression" under a controversial security law in the former British colony.

Former French colony Mali recently expelled the French ambassador and demanded the withdrawal of the French military. At the same time, the anti-colonialist Yerewolo movement is moving closer to Russia.

As the war in Ukraine continues, we take you to the western town of Zhytomyr. Although tension has now eased there with the withdrawal of Russian troops from the region, Zhytomyr's inhabitants had to live to the sound of bombings and sirens for weeks on end and are now helplessly taking stock of the damage. Located 150 kilometres from the capital Kyiv, the town's proximity to the frontlines has also made it a regional hub for both aid distribution and displaced people. Our reporters Luke Shrago and Tarek Kai saw first-hand how its population is determined to resist the Russian invasion.

The EU will wind down some operations due to continued cooperation between Russian mercenaries and Mali's junta. But the EU says it remains committed to the region.

It was market day in Moura, a remote town in central Mali, when witnesses said Malian troops backed by Russian mercenaries descended in helicopters and opened fire on bewildered residents.

In late March, the Malian armed forces and suspected Russian mercenaries allegedly executed about 300 people in Moura, a village in central Mali. Human Rights Watch opened an investigation into the matter, calling it a massacre. In order to discredit these findings, photos online claim to show hundreds of weapons belonging to civilians, seized by the Malian army. However, the photos have nothing to do with the current situation in Moura. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.