Foreign News
Without France There Will Be No Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso – Macron
France President Macron claimed in an interview that with French military, countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso wouldn’t exist.
Macron was referencing France’s military operations from the mid-2000s, namely Operations Serval and Barkhane.
After Mali’s military leaders severed ties with France, its former colonial overseer, French forces were relocated from Mali to Niger.
Emphasizing that these military interventions were undertaken upon the request of African nations and have been successful, Macron acknowledged the challenges, particularly as France faces criticisms from Africans and the potential loss of its alliance with Niger.
He further elaborated that while France’s operations are a testament to its honor and responsibility, it cannot continue its involvement when the newly established regimes, following coups, do not prioritize counter-terrorism, which he described as tragic for the affected nations.
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During the conversation, Macron emphasized that France’s policy in the Sahel is more about partnership than merely security.
Despite Niger’s coup leader, General Abdurahman Tchiani, declaring an end to all military agreements with France, France has yet to recognize this announcement. Over a thousand French troops are still positioned at a military base in Niger.
