Barkhane and Takuba could totally leave Mali
French soldiers from the Barkhane force leave their base in Gao, Mali, Wednesday June 9, 2021. AP
Text by: David Baché
2 mins
While tensions are exacerbated between Mali and its French and European partners, extensive consultation is underway.
Paris and Takuba's European contributors are increasingly seriously considering withdrawing from Mali altogether.
The Élysée has given some details to certain French media.
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“
Within two to three weeks
”, this is the deadline indicated by the Elysée for the announcement of a decision, the principle of which seems almost already recorded: “
Where the conditions are not met, there must not stay
, ”explains a diplomat quoted in the French press.
After the expulsion of the Danish soldiers of the Takuba force and
that of the French ambassador
or the harsh remarks of Malian, French and European political leaders through the media, not to mention the reciprocal accusations of lying around
the presence of Russian militiamen of the Wagner group
, the tension has never been so strong between Bamako, Paris and the other European military partners who intervene in the country.
Towards a retreat into neighboring countries?
Currently,
a total withdrawal from Mali of the French force Barkhane
and the European force Takuba is therefore on the table.
The soldiers currently based in Ménaka, Gossi, or even Gao, the main French base in Mali, could withdraw to neighboring countries.
In this case, Niger is strongly solicited.
The French Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, went to Niamey on Wednesday evening to discuss with President Mohamed Bazoum the various possible options.
The reduction of ground staff and the strengthening of air operations, in particular using drones, are also part of the ways to adapt the anti-terrorist system in the Sahel.
If the French military action, and
European in the same movement
, should remain present in the Sahel, it could also extend to other countries where the terrorist threat is progressing.
Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Benin or Senegal would thus be asking for additional support, according to comments made by the Élysée to the French press.
However, another crucial question remains to be settled, that of the fate of the French and European "blue helmets" engaged in Mali, not with Barkhane and Takuba, but with Minusma, the United Nations mission in the country.
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