It was not a descent into hell, no, but last Monday, August 15, Assumption Day for Christians, it was anything but a climb to heaven for Barkhane. In the canteens of the French military force in the Sahel, the weekly Point responded to the call of its last detachment still present in Mali.
” In total, more than 5,000 containers and thousands of vehicles have been evacuated over the past six months from what was the largest base of the French army, he reports (…) The considerable logistical challenge was overcome painlessly “, notes this magazine. However, note Point“ no ceremony did not mark this withdrawal.
This evacuation marks “ucapital step in the longest war that France has fought for a long time: already nine and a half years, almost two more than the war in Algeria “, underlines this weekly, admitting that in Mali ” as in Afghanistan, the result is not very different: it is the Western soldiers who are leaving and the Islamists who are staying. In Afghanistan, the Taliban have consolidated their power since Kabul fell into their hands. In Mali, it is obvious to all actors that the departure of the French army is creating a highly dangerous security vacuum. (…) The coming months will tell if what France has built in the Sahel has been built on sand “.
Loss of communication for the Grande Muette
Especially since what is going to be played out now, in Africa, conditions France’s security future and even ” the future of Europe », warns Pointnoting that the Barkhane force had to pack up “ not under the blows of its enemies, the jihadists, but because of its inability to conquer hearts and minds. In Mali, it is our own communication weaknesses that Russia and its local partners have exploited – and with what ease! – to raise the population against Paris », regrets Point.
The disenchantment of France in Africa
The Express don’t write anything else. As this magazine notes, everywhere “in Africa, France” step back (…) By dint of renunciations, France makes people dream less “. The Express emphasizes in particular that Paris gives the impression of turning its back on African youth “.
Regional director of the Timbuktu Institute, based in Dakar, Bakary Sambe told The Express that ” if the Francophonie limits itself to saying to Africans “Speak French… but stay at home !” she doesn’t make much sense anymore “. This magazine also reports in the last barometer Afrileads from the French institute Immar that ” France’s image has deteriorated in the eyes of opinion leaders. It only ranks ninth among the partners deemed most beneficial to the continent. », raises The Express. Don’t throw any more!
The reassuring Monsieur Macron
In France, the government’s security record is judged harshly by the French. According to an Ifop poll for The Sunday newspaper, 7 out of 10 French people feel that crime has increased in recent months. And 3 out of 4 believe that Emmanuel Macron’s record in the fight against insecurity is negative.
Mayotte in G minor
The three-day visit to Mayotte by Gérald Darmanin and his Minister Delegate for Overseas Jean-François Carenco begins today. The Minister of the Interior has every intention of modifying the jus soli in Mayotte. Gérald Darmanin intends to have the bond voted for “ one of the two parents (to be) regularly for more than a year on the territory (of Mayotte) so that their child is recognized as French “, he says to the Sunday newspaperit being recalled that this legal period is currently three months.
Olivetree Gendarmerie
Furthermore, with regard to damage to the environment, the Minister of the Interior told the JDD want to create 3,000 green police stations “. Gérald Darmanin wishes that, in each gendarmerie brigade, there are gendarmes trained in attacks on ecology. Arsonists just have to watch out!