French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that the "hidden intentions" of the ruling military junta in Mali forced Paris and its European partners to announce the withdrawal of its forces designated to fight terrorism in the African country, and the decision came after the recent deterioration of relations between Paris and Bamako.
Macron added - at a press conference in Paris - that the Europeans do not share Mali's military rulers' "strategy or hidden goals," explaining that Paris and its allies participating in the "Barkhane Force" and the "Takoba Force" will withdraw their forces in a coordinated manner with the United Nations and the Malian army, provided that they return These forces deployed near the Malian border alongside Nigerian forces.
The joint statement of France and its partners (14 European countries + Canada) said that the political, operational and legal conditions are no longer available for the continuation of its military activity in Mali.
He added that Paris and its partners "expressed their desire to continue their commitment in the Sahel region", where al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are active.
The statement stressed that "in order to contain the possible geographical expansion of the activities of armed terrorist groups towards the south and west of the region (the coast) international partners express their readiness to consider providing their support to the neighboring countries in the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa at their requests."
deterioration of relations
Relations between France and Mali have deteriorated since the African country's ruling military junta withdrew from an agreement to organize elections this February, and proposed to keep power until 2025.
The junta in Mali has also deployed private contractors from Russia, which some European countries have said contradicts its mission in Mali.
Senegalese President Macky Sall said - in the press conference with his French counterpart - that the fight against armed groups in the Sahel region "cannot be the affair of African countries alone."
He added that the African Union will hold a meeting next week with the Malian authorities on the transitional phase.
The announcement of the withdrawal of European forces from Mali came after a summit that took place yesterday, Wednesday at the Elysee Palace, that included Macron, European officials and African leaders. .
Otara warns
In turn, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara warned on Wednesday that the withdrawal of French and European forces from Mali "will create a vacuum, which will force West African armies to remain on the front lines to fight the jihadists in the Sahel."
Mali's Foreign Minister said in an interview with Al Jazeera that his country asked Paris to review the security agreement concluded between them in order to protect the sovereignty and rights of his country
Malian Foreign Minister Abdullah Diop said in an interview with Al-Jazeera on Wednesday that France's halting of the "Barkhane" military operation affected his country's plans to spread security in the country, adding that Bamako's request from Paris to review the security agreement with it "comes to protect the sovereignty and rights of Mali."
Regarding relations between Bamako and the Russian "Wagner" group, the finance minister said that his government had nothing to do with this group, indicating that talking about this relationship aims to "pit international forces against us."
Last month, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed strict economic and diplomatic sanctions on Mali in response to the junta's desire to remain in power for several years.
It is noteworthy that the Malian army seized power in the country in June 2021, and Chogel appointed Kokala Maiga as prime minister, and the Bamako authorities pledged to hold elections after 5 years.