The deterioration of relations between Mali and France does not deviate the military forces from the objective: France's priority remains to "continue the fight against terrorism" alongside African countries, assured Tuesday the head of general staff of the French armies, General Thierry Burkhard.

“We want to help African countries, for them and also for us.

Our priority is to continue the fight against terrorism alongside the G5 Sahel countries (Mali, Mauritania, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso),” he added during a meeting with the press in Abidjan.

The French troops and the European special forces of Takuba are the target of virulent criticism from part of the populations in the Sahel but also from the Malian political class.

On Monday, Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga accused this group of "dividing Mali".

The degree of defiance of the military junta towards Paris is such that the French ambassador was expelled from Mali last week.

Paris has given itself until mid-February to decide with its European partners on the future of their military presence in this country, where France has been fighting since 2013 at the cost of 53 soldiers killed.

The idea of ​​a departure from Mali is not excluded.

"If we modify the system in Mali, we will think together about the best way to engage alongside African countries and we will act together with African countries", insisted General Thierry Burkhard.

"The fight against terrorism can only be won with national armies", he continued, regretting not having "succeeded in synchronizing military action with a strengthening or a return of the State" in northern Mali.

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Mali: Paris "takes note" of the expulsion of its ambassador, the opposition speaks of "humiliation"

  • sahel

  • Anti-terrorism

  • Army

  • Terrorism

  • mali

  • World

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