Traveling to Nairobi, President Emmanuel Macron reacted strongly on Sunday May 10 to the deterioration of security in Mali.
According to him, “the news shows†that the Malian junta has “did not make the best decision†by requesting the withdrawal of the French army, present in the country until 2022 as part of the fight against jihadist groups.
An unprecedented offensive weakens Bamako
Since the end of April, Mali has been facing a vast offensive led by jihadist groups and predominantly Tuareg rebel movements.
These attacks have considerably weakened the junta that came to power after the coups of 2020 and 2021. Several regions of the country remain faced with growing insecurity despite ongoing military operations.
The divorce between Paris and the Sahel still explosive
The withdrawal of French forces from Mali marked a historic break between Paris and Bamako. This divide then spread to Burkina Faso and Niger, where coups also led to the departure of French soldiers.
For several years, the French military presence in the Sahel has crystallized strong political and popular tensions in the region.
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