French military intervention, originally launched at the request of the Malian government but seen by many as a foreign occupation, has paradoxically exacerbated a conflict that has displaced 2.5 million people across the region in the last decade
President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday a pullout of French troops from Mali by the summer, amid escalating tensions with the country’s military junta.
France has about 4,300 troops in the Sahel, including 2,400 in Mali, a former French colony. Macron said Paris intends to maintain its military presence in neighbouring countries, and that the “heart” of the French operation will be moved to neighbouring Niger, in the region bordering Burkina Faso. David Otto, Director of the Geneva Centre for Africa Security and Strategic Studies, believes the idea of operating from Niger is nothing more than a “slow pullout” for France.
“The French find it no longer conducive to operate alongside the Russians,” Otto said, “and for me, this is a stab. If the big countries like France, Russia and the US cannot collaborate, then I don’t see why we should be talking about a global war on terror.” French presence has been increasingly unwelcome in Mali, where it is seen by many as a foreign occupation. This has contributed to the popularity of military junta leader Assimi Goita, a special forces colonel that led a coup d’etat in August 2020, and then carried out a “coup within a coup” by dismissing the civilian leaders in Mali’s transitional government and seizing power last May.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Make French Lentils Shine With Good Technique (and a Dash of Vinegar)With the right technique, simple, earthy lentils can shine bright with big flavor that's layered, complex, rich, luxurious, and bright.
Lire la suite »
Valneva: Scottish Enterprise funding boost for French vaccine firmValneva, which had a major Covid vaccine order cancelled by the UK government, is awarded £20m.
Lire la suite »
Modeling agent close to Epstein found dead in French jailAgent Jean-Luc Brunel was being held in an investigation into the rape of minors and trafficking of minors for sexual exploitation.
Lire la suite »
Jean-Luc Brunel, modeling agent close to Jeffrey Epstein, found dead in French jailJean-Luc Brunel, a modeling agent who was close to disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, was found dead Saturday in his French jail cell.
Lire la suite »
Modeling agent close to Epstein found dead in French jailA modeling agent who was close to disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead Saturday in his French jail cell, where he was being held in an investigation into the rape and sex trafficking of minors, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Lire la suite »
French Modeling Agent Accused of Supplying Girls to Jeffrey Epstein Found Hanged in PrisonJean-Luc Brunel had been charged with raping minors.
Lire la suite »