February 18, 2022
1 min read

France and EU announce military withdrawal from Mali

Tensions have grown between Mali, its African neighbours, and the European Union, especially after the West African country’s transitional government allowed Russian mercenaries to deploy in its territory…reports Asian Lite News

President Emmanuel Macron says France will withdraw its troops from Mali but maintain a military presence in neighbouring West African nations.

Announcing the move during a Thursday news conference in Paris, Macron said, “We cannot remain militarily involved alongside Malian transitional authorities with whom we don’t share the strategy and goals.”

 France has about 4,300 troops in the Sahel region, including 2,400 in Mali. The so-called Barkhane force is also involved in Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania.

European leaders simultaneously announced Thursday that troops from the European-led military task force known as Takuba also would withdraw from Mali. The Takuba task force is composed of several hundred special forces troops from about a dozen European countries, including France.

Tensions have grown between Mali, its African neighbours, and the European Union, especially after the West African country’s transitional government allowed Russian mercenaries to deploy in its territory.

French forces have been active since 2013 in Mali, where they intervened to drive Islamic extremists from power. But the insurgents regrouped in the desert and began attacking the Malian army and its allies.

Macron said support for civilians in Mali would continue, but he blamed the junta now ruling the country for its decision to hire a private Russian military contractor known as the Wagner Group that the EU accuses of fomenting violence and committing human rights abuses in Africa.

Macron said a coalition of allies will remain present in Sahel and the Guinea Gulf to counter actions from Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. He said the fight against terrorism in the region requires “steadiness and tenacity.”

 The announcements followed Macron’s Wednesday night meeting with African and European leaders involved in the fight against Islamic extremists in the Sahel region. The Mali and Burkina Faso coup leaders were not invited since both nations were suspended from the African Union.

ALSO READ-Europe offers $11 mn for Afghan education sector

Previous Story

NATO concerned that Russia trying to stage pretext for Ukraine attack

Next Story

UK scraps golden visas amid security concerns

Latest from -Top News

UK MPs Slam Pakistan Over Minority Abuses

Minority communities such as Shias, Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis continue to face harassment, violence, and intimidation. In many cases, law enforcement either turns a blind eye or enables the attacks through inaction…reports

Words Won’t Stop China, Quad Must Deliver

 If the Quad aims to counterbalance China’s growing influence, it must expand its focus beyond the maritime domain and address the continental dynamics of the Indo-Pacific…writes Imran Khurshid Despite early concerns that

India Stays Neutral on Dalai Lama Succession

As exiled Tibetan spiritual leader approaches his 90th birthday, he asserted on Wednesday that there will be the 15th reincarnation…reports Asian Lite News Responding to the Dalai Lama’s recent remarks, India on

USAID cut could kill 14 million more deaths

Human rights advocates and global health experts have expressed alarm at the speed and scale of the cuts…reports Asian Lite News A new study published in The Lancet has warned that ongoing

Trump goes nuclear on Mamdani

Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and son of Indian-Ugandan immigrants, secured a surprise victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.;…reports Asian Lite News President Donald Trump has intensified his
Go toTop

Don't Miss

France to ban non-essential travel to Britain

He said returning travelers would need a negative test less

French Left trumps far Right with no majority

The political turmoil could rattle markets and the French economy,