” It’s ‘paradoxical’… The word escapes an officer, like an admission of astonishment. In the aftermath of the snub inflicted by the Malian government on France, by demanding manu militari the departure of its ambassador, Barkhane continued its operations on the ground as if nothing had happened, notice Le Figaro. In the region of Indelimane, Ménaka or Anderamboukane, several maneuvers are currently underway. »
However, in the face of Malian pressure, the French and more broadly European military system should evolve. Yesterday note Le Figaro, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, was very clear to the deputies: ‘the fight against terrorism will continue in the Sahel, it will continue with the agreement of the other countries in the region. (…) Our will is intact and it is not an event due to irresponsibility, I repeat my words, due to the illegitimacy of a coup government that will make us stop our fight against terrorism ‘. »
Niger new anchor point?
So ask yourself The world, “ Is the departure of some 2,500 soldiers still deployed in Mali as part of the Barkhane anti-terrorist operation about to materialize? ‘All scenarios are studied’, we say to the staff of the armies, while specifying that, pending a decision, operations will continue in Mali, because France cannot ‘leave the initiative to terrorist groups’. (…) While the January 24 coup in neighboring Burkina Faso brought new uncertainty to France, Niger, point Le Monde is now seen as the future pivot of counter-terrorism intervention in the region. »
A transformation that will take time…
In any case, ” if the hypothesis of a French withdrawal is on the table, it poses a series of technical and political difficulties, rises for his part Release. First the deadline: France could not pack up overnight. The logistical maneuver is quite complex, it would not be done in a few weeks, but in a few months or even in twelve months. It would also take place in a context of popular rejection of the French military presence, which recently manifested itself in the form of blockages of supply convoys in Burkina Faso and Niger. During these maneuvers, forces are more vulnerable, as they cease to harass and hinder enemy groups. »
Furthermore, further specify Release“ Barkhane was already in the process of change, with repercussions for the entire region. Emmanuel Macron announced last June the imminent end of the operation in favor of another, less French, more European. The disengagement is complete in the far north. Barkhane is not limited to Mali and was already strengthening around it, especially in Niamey, Niger, where air resources are concentrated. The special forces are stationed in Burkina Faso. A departure from Mali therefore does not automatically mean a withdrawal from the entire Sahel. »
On the Malian side, now, “ time will quickly play against the putschists, affirms La Croix, even if they are accepted by part of civil society and the political opposition. The international opprobrium, the likely continuation of violence in this composite country and the economic sanctions decided by ECOWAS could quickly undermine their authority. And get them to negotiate. »
Repercussions on the presidential campaign…
In the meantime, the Malian file has invited itself into the French presidential campaign… This is what points out Opinion. ” The expulsion of the French ambassador does not fail to make the candidates react, from the extreme right to the extreme left of the political spectrum. “For Eric Zemmour, ‘the whole of France’s African policy needs to be rethought’. (…) A feeling shared by Marine Le Pen who calls for cutting development aid and transfers from the diaspora. (…) Valérie Pécresse deplores the executive’s lack of anticipation. (…) On the left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon asked the government to ’empty the abscess with the current Malian power’ and to engage in a parliamentary debate. And for the environmentalist Yannick Jadot, France must remain present in the Sahel, in Niger and in Burkina in particular. An urgent meeting of Minusma (the United Nations force in Mali) is needed. »