In the spotlight: the farewell of "Barkhane" in Mali
Audio 04:23
Some 4,500 French soldiers are deployed in the Sahel as part of Operation Barkhane.
Pascal Guyot, AFP
By: Norbert Navarro
3 mins
Advertising
In the fight against terrorism, Mali “is
becoming an orphan in the vast Sahelian space,
regrets
Maliweb
.
But
wouldn't leaving Mali to its own fate constitute a risk for Mali's neighbors and the West?
», asks this Malian newspaper online.
"
Despite appearances
", let there be no mistake, believes
Malikilé
, the withdrawal of "Barkhane" and "Takuba" from Mali is only "
the epilogue of a
standoff ".
If, according to this Malian daily, Mali yesterday was "
nailed to the pillory
", it is to "
in no way impact the upcoming presidential election in France
".
But then, question: “
how to organize the fight against terrorism in the Sahel without Mali which geographically is in the center of the Sahel and also of West Africa with a border with 7 other countries?
“
Asks Malikilé
.
“Barkhane”, formula in Burkina Faso
L'Observateur Paalga
, is “
the sprinkler sprinkled, the firefighter accused of pyromania, the ally become the invader
”.
So it's official, “
the Gallic Rooster leaves his Malian barnyard.
Is he stepping back to better come back?
“, however, asks this Ouagalais daily.
In any case, after having underlined that the French military withdrawal from Mali is "
real blessed bread for terrorists
", the Nigerien newspaper
Mourya
explains that if France and its European partners have chosen Niger as their new in the fight against terrorism, it is "
because of the geographical location of this country which shares the so-called Three Borders zone with Burkina Faso and Mali, and where terrorist groups have sanctuary
".
In addition, adds
Mourya
, the Nigeriens and their army "
have shown all their determination to break the terrorist to preserve peace at home
".
Panic in (West) Africa
Nevertheless, the president of Niger is worried.
And it is in a French newspaper that Mohamed Bazoum expressed his concern.
The departure of Barkhane and Takuba “
will create a vacuum which will be filled by terrorist organizations
”, alarmed Mohamed Bazoum in
Le Figaro
.
This constitutes "
a threat that will jeopardize all the stability of Mali first, then that of Niger and the sub-region by contagion effect
" then, predicts Mohamed Bazoum.
The military objective specified by the Head of State is that Niger's border with Mali be secured.
"
We expect that after the departure of Barkhane and Takuba, this area will be even more infested and that the terrorist groups will strengthen.
However, we know that they are destined to extend their influence
,” warns Mohamed Bazoum in
Le Figaro
.
The failure of "Barkhane" in Mali?
If Emmanuel Macron completely challenged him, "
the operation did not however make it possible to overcome a threat carried by a few hundred jihadist fighters
", cruelly points out
Le Figaro
.
Millon in the cannon against Macron (and Ouattara)
Even more severe, this goldsmith's opinion by Charles Millon, to be read on the
Mondafrique
site .
According to this former Chiraquian Minister of Defense, the policy of Emmanuel Macron and Jean Yves Le Drian is "
unreadable
".
Mocking the "
at the same time
" dear to Emmanuel Macron, Charles Millon wonders how "
to denounce the coups d'etat in Guinea or Mali and give full support to the son of President Déby who takes power by force after the brutal death from his father ?
Emmanuel Macron has adolescent reactions
”, castigates this figure listened to by the military.
And when
Mondafrique
asks him what he thinks of the call launched on our antennas by the Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara "
to his Malian brothers to make an effort, to join the ranks
", Charles Millon woodcutter: "
We should remind Mr. Ouattara who calls into question the legitimacy of the military junta in Bamako that he benefits from an illegitimate and unconstitutional third mandate.
That he cleans in front of his door before giving advice to others
”.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
Newspaper
mali
France