French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday made official the end of the ‘Barkhane’ operation in Mali and detailed that the country’s new ‘roadmap’ on the African continent will be «finalized within six months», as part of a reorganization of its operations following tensions with the military junta in Bamako.
Macron announced in 2021 a «profound transformation» of the French military presence in the region, which included the end of the ‘Barkhane’ operation, launched in 2014 and basic pillar of the French strategy in a region marked in recent years by growing insecurity.
«Our support to our partners will continue, but in accordance with the new principles defined with them,» the French president said at a press conference in the port city of Toulon, as reported by the newspaper ‘Le Figaro’.
Thus, Macron announced that «a phase of exchanges» will begin with African partners to determine the new status of Paris in the region, as well as the future activity of French missions in Africa.
On the other hand, the French president has stressed, in the framework of a new military strategic review that is outlined within the Executive, that the new measures should boost «a united, strong, autonomous and sovereign France in its assessments».
Macron clarified that France is ready for «a more comprehensive mobilization» and that it is necessary to adapt to «new contexts», as well as to be alert and «in a position of war economy», in clear reference to the war in Ukraine.
In this sense, he has indicated that, before the Russian invasion on Ukrainian territory, an «economic and industrial» mobilization could have been developed to face the possible consequences of a war in Europe, according to the newspaper ‘Le Parisien’.
«It’s not about militarizing society, but about strengthening the spirit of resilience. I am counting a lot on the development of the reserve, of civic services, but also on the universal national service,» he said.
In this way, he praised the role of NATO, making it clear that Paris will continue to «play the role of an exemplary ally, capable of ensuring the role of framework nation and, if necessary, of ensuring the defense of the eastern flank of Europe.»
France announced last August 15 that it had completed the withdrawal of troops from operation ‘Barkhane’ in Mali, a country in which it intervened in 2013 at the request of the then authorities to halt the advance of jihadist groups towards Bamako and with whose current government it has recently maintained a bitter standoff.
Macron’s Executive has already made it clear on previous occasions that its commitment to the region, including the countries of the Gulf of Guinea, and to the fight against terrorism in particular, remains unchanged. For its part, Mali has hardened its message against Paris following the withdrawal of French troops, accusing the French of collaborating with terrorist groups in a harsh letter sent to the UN Security Council.
The French withdrawal from Mali creates a security vacuum affecting the international missions it supported – mainly logistical – both the UN mission and the European training mission for Malian forces, EUTM Mali.
