After nine years of fighting in Mali, French armed forces move to Niger. Following Macron's announcement that the Malian government hurdles the cooperation with 'multiple obstructions', the French army will continue its mission based in Niamey.
The deteriorating relationships between France and Mali worsened in 2021 when the Malian government was overthrown in a coup. "We cannot remain militarily engaged alongside de-facto authorities whose strategy and hidden aims we do not share," Macron told journalists.
Operation Barkhane started in 2014 at the request of the Malian government. Its French military engagement consists roughly of 5,000 soldiers and its primary goal is fighting insurgent Islamist groups in the Sahel region. During nine years of fights, estimated 1500 Islamist members were killed or captured. There were 43 casualties on the French side.
Categories: Sahel, Politics
Tags: Mali, Niger, Barkhane, France
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