Macron criticises Malian junta’s decision to expel French troops
During an official visit to Nairobi, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a sharp rebuke to Mali’s military leadership over its decision to terminate the presence of French armed forces in the country. The president argued that Bamako’s move was ill-timed given the escalating security crisis gripping the Sahel.
Speaking from Nairobi, President Emmanuel Macron addressed the deteriorating security situation in Mali, declaring that the country’s military leadership had “not made the wisest choice” by compelling the withdrawal of French forces, which had been stationed there until 2022 as part of a counter-terrorism mission.
Unprecedented offensive threatens Bamako
Since late April, Mali has faced a sweeping offensive spearheaded by jihadist factions and predominantly Tuareg rebel groups. These coordinated attacks have severely weakened the military junta that seized power following the 2020 and 2021 coups, leaving multiple regions under heightened threat despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
Tensions escalate between France and the Sahel
The expulsion of French troops from Mali marked a pivotal rupture in relations between Paris and Bamako. This rift soon spread to Burkina Faso and Niger, where similar coups led to the departure of French soldiers. Over recent years, France’s military footprint in the Sahel has become a flashpoint for political and public hostility across the region.
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