February 17, 2021
1 min read

No reduction of troops in Sahel: Macron

“Significant changes will undoubtedly be made to our military system in the Sahel in due course, but they will not take place immediately,” Macron said after he participated in a virtual summit of the G5 Sahel countries…reports Asian Lite News

President Emmanuel Macron told a press conference here that presence of French troops in Africa’s Sahel region will not reduce in the coming months.

“Significant changes will undoubtedly be made to our military system in the Sahel in due course, but they will not take place immediately,” Macron said after he participated in a virtual summit of the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

A massive withdrawal of French forces “would be a mistake,” he said, noting that “it would be paradoxical to weaken our system at a time when we have a political and military alignment that enables us to reach our goals.”



On Januart 19, Macron announced the withdrawal of some French troops from the Sahel region following successes against Islamist militants and the arrival of more European forces.

According to Macron, adjusting France’s military presence in the region “does not mean a disengagement but an adaptation by focusing on key objectives — the fight against the terrorist groups and the fight to help the Sahel’s armies, but not to have a long military presence there.”

“Our duty is to help sovereign states that ask for it,” he said in response to rising anti-French sentiment in the region.

Along with thousands of peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), around 4,500 French troops have been deployed in the region since 2014 to help the forces of the G5 Sahel countries combat extremist fighters and restore security in the area. A year ago, France reinforced its presence with additional 600 troops.

Also read:UN calls for free, safe elections in Iraq

Previous Story

UN calls for free, safe elections in Iraq

Next Story

Guterres calls for ‘Global Vaccination Plan’

Latest from -Top News

India, Malaysia Stand Together on Terror

The Speaker reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to peace and thanked the Indian delegation for the briefing on India’s approach to dealing with terrorism at large…reports Asian Lite News An all-party Indian delegation met

Don’t Let Bailout Back Terror, Tharoor Warns IMF

Tharoor expressed his displeasure at the International Monetary Fund for enabling Pakistan thus as they divert those funds to arm themselves to attack India….reports Asian Lite News All-Party Delegation leader and Congress

India Doubles Down on BRICS at Brazil Talks

The BRICS Communications Ministers met in Brasilia under the Chair of Brazil on June 2, and conducted discussions on universal and meaningful connectivity…reports Asian Lite News India reiterated its commitment to enduring

Goyal Courts Global CEOs in Paris

Piyush Goyal is on an official trip to France with the aim of boosting trade and investments…reports Asian Lite News Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with leading global CEOs in
Go toTop