France To Withdraw Troops From Mali

France and its allies in the anti-jihadist operation in Mali have announced the withdrawal of their forces from the West African country.

The move, according to a joint statement on Thursday, follows “multiple obstructions” by the country’s ruling military junta to the activities of the troops from France, its European partners, and Canada.

“Due to multiple obstructions by the Malian transitional authorities, Canada and the European States operating alongside Operation Barkhane and within the Task Force Takuba deem that the political, operational, and legal conditions are no longer met to effectively continue their current military engagement in the fight against terrorism in Mali,” the statement said.

It added that the countries had “decided to commence the coordinated withdrawal of their respective military resources dedicated to these operations from Malian territory.

Reports indicate that the relations between Paris and Bamako have deteriorated since Mali’s military leaders reneged on an agreement to hold elections in February.

The junta, instead, proposed retaining power until 2025.

French President Emmanuel Macron told a press conference that the attitudes and “hidden aims” of Mali’s ruling junta had forced France to pull out from its former colony.

“We cannot remain militarily engaged alongside de-facto authorities whose strategy and hidden aims we do not share,” Macron told reporters.

The French president said he “completely” rejected the idea that France had failed in its mission.

He said the heart of the French military operation would now be in Niger, and added that France’s Sabre special forces would remain posted in Burkina Faso, where a military junta is also in charge.

Macron also said the remaining forces would provide help for countries in the Gulf of Guinea.

“These states are increasingly exposed to efforts by terrorist groups to implant themselves in their territory,” he said.