By RFIPosted on 12-22-2019Changed on 12-22-2019 at 03:13

At the risk of offending them again, French President Emmanuel Macron, on tour in West Africa, once again demanded "clarity" from the Sahelian governments on the French military presence in the area during the summit that 'he organizes with them on January 13 in Pau. His Malian counterpart Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta also spoke on the subject.

Emmanuel Macron persists and signs. No question for him to remain without reacting to the rise of anti-Barkhane sentiment in several countries of the Sahel. The head of state welcomes recent remarks by Nigerian president Mahamadou Issoufou in favor of " more Barkhane " and says he expects the same clarity " from all the leaders " in the region.

“ The same clarity and the same commitment. I cannot ask our soldiers to take risks to fight terrorism and the security of country and on the other side to have public opinions of these same countries which believe in untruths which led them to believe . "

A message addressed in particular to the political leaders of Mali and Burkina Faso, accused of sometimes fueling anti-French sentiment. A warning message. Because for Paris, there can be no military efficiency for Barkhane without a political clarification beforehand. “ From a strategic point of view, Operation Barkhane is fully justified. But I consider that today the political conditions are no longer fully fulfilled everywhere. I am clear on the intentions of France and our presence but I also tell you with such frankness. If this political clarity is not established, France in certain countries will draw all the consequences. "

During the same press conference, the Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara, made a point of recalling having himself called president Hollande in 2013 to request the intervention of France in Mali, in the title at the time, of his functions of President in office of the ECOWAS.

Evoking anti-French resentment, Emmanuel Macron tried to explain how he prospered under the " tinsel of neo-colonialism " and he reiterated his criticisms of colonialism .

None of the other countries you mentioned share the language, culture, dreams of Côte d'Ivoire and the African continent like France. No. But too often today, France is perceived with a look of hegemony or the tinsel of a colonialism which was and which was a deep error, a fault of the Republic

Emmanuel Macron

22-12-2019

“ Sometimes young people blame France for the troubles and difficulties they may have experienced that France can do nothing about. So, I know, we (France) are sometimes the perfect target, it's simpler (...) When it's difficult, we say "it's France" ", continued the head of the 'State.

The G5 in Pau to send a “message”

IBK responds to Macron

22-12-2019

In parallel, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta said on TV5 on Saturday that the countries united in the G5 Sahel military force wanted " a respectable and respectful partnership ". “ We are in a situation where the security of the whole world is threatened. Therefore, it is good, it would be desirable in any case, that it be considered as such and with great consideration and respect on both sides. "

He said that the G5 Sahel countries (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Chad) would come precisely to the January 13 summit to be held in Pau (south-west) to get this message across.

On December 4, in the wake of the death of 13 French soldiers in Mali during a collision between helicopters in the combat zone, Emmanuel Macron invited the Sahelian heads of state to this summit, asking them to clarify their position on the French military presence. An announcement badly felt by many in the region, who had perceived it rather as a " summons ".

The French president will make this Sunday at the end of the day a stopover in Niamey to pay tribute to the 71 Nigerien soldiers who recently died in the attack on a military camp, but also to prepare with President Mahamadou Issoufou the summit of Pau.

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