French President Emmanuel Macron has asserted that without France’s military interventions in the Sahel region, Mali, Burkina Faso, and even Niger might no longer exist. Macron’s reference is directed towards France’s involvement in the mid-2000s, specifically Operations Serval and Barkhane.
Following the rupture of ties between the military leadership of Mali and the former colonial power, French troops were relocated from Mali to Niger.
He said the interventions were done “at the request of African states” and were “successful” as his policy is facing scrutiny in the face of losing the allyship of the last remaining ally, Niger, and increasing negative sentiment from Africans.
He went on to explain that while these operations reflect France’s “honour” and “responsibility”, France could no longer remain involved “when there is a coup d’état, and the priority of the new regimes is not to fight terrorism” even though this is “tragic for the states concerned”.
In the interview, Macron defended his administration’s policy in the Sahel as one of partnership rather than focusing on security.
France refuses to acknowledge coup leader General Abdurahman Tchiani’s announcement that all military deals between Niger and France are terminated, and more than a thousand French troops remain stationed at a military base there.
