The withdrawal of Barkhane from Mali variously appreciated in Niger, soon at the heart of the device

France, its European partners and Canada announced, Thursday, February 17, the withdrawal of military forces from Mali after nine years of military intervention against the jihadists.

(illustrative image) © APAP Photo/Jerome Delay

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

After the announcement of the forthcoming withdrawal of French and European forces from Mali, Niger is preparing to become a nerve center in the future system of the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. 

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With our correspondent in Niamey,

Moussa Kaka

By becoming the geographical center of the operation to combat terrorism, Niger thus becomes the centerpiece of the new deployment of Franco-European forces in the Sahel.

Seen from Niamey, this withdrawal from Mali is variously appreciated.

If the political parties of the presidential movement support the security policy of the government, it is not the same for certain opposition parties.

In the ranks of civil society, we welcome this withdrawal.

For several months, civil society in Niger has made the departure of foreign forces its main concern.

But the fact that Niger will soon become the fulcrum of Franco-European forces is a problem for civil society actor Moussa Tchangari.

The latter believes that it is "

 an error by President Macron, who wants to stay in the region 

".

“ 

By remaining militarily in the Sahel,

he adds,

France risks putting the allied governments in difficulty

.

»

This French military presence we have already strongly criticized, we consider that it is not very useful.

We even think that it is a presence which in the long term will constitute a threat to the sovereignty of the country.

Moussa Tchangari, activist and general secretary of the Alternative Espaces Citoyens association in Niger

Moussa Kaka

It's a very good thing 

", analyzes for its part a security source.

This informed observer considers that “

 as long as these forces willingly agree to respond by air to requests from Niger attacked by jihadists, their resettlement in Niger will not cause any problem. 

»

As a reminder, American special forces and their armed Reaper drones have been based in Agadez for years.

In Niger's Azawak, north of Tahoua, German special forces continue to train Niger soldiers.

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