French President Emmanuel Macron has proudly asserted that, were it not for France‘s military endeavours in the Sahel region, Mali, Burkina Faso, and possibly Niger Republic, might no longer exist.
Speaking to the French publication Le Point and referencing France’s interventions in the mid-2000s, known as Operations Serval and Barkhane, Macron emphasized that these actions were carried out in response to requests from African nations and were deemed successful.
However, he acknowledged the changing dynamics in the region, stating that France could no longer remain involved when new regimes prioritize objectives other than counterterrorism, despite the tragic implications for the affected states.
Macron defended his administration’s approach in the Sahel as one of partnership rather than solely focusing on security concerns.
Despite recent tensions, France has not officially recognized the termination of military agreements by coup leader General Abdurahman Tchiani, and French troops continue to be stationed at a military base in Niger.
