From Nairobi, President Emmanuel Macron responded to the escalating security crisis gripping Mali, warning that the country’s military leadership made a costly strategic error by demanding the departure of French troops in 2022.

According to Macron, the ongoing jihadist offensive sweeping across Mali proves that Bamako’s decision to sever military cooperation with Paris was unwise. The French president emphasised that without sustained support from former allies, Mali now faces unprecedented challenges in combating extremist groups.

Unprecedented jihadist offensive weakens Mali’s stability

Since late April, Mali has endured a relentless wave of attacks led by jihadist factions and predominantly Tuareg rebel movements. These assaults have severely destabilised the country, exposing the vulnerabilities of the junta that seized power in 2020 and 2021. Despite ongoing counter-terrorism operations, several regions remain gripped by intensifying insecurity.

France-Sahel relations strained after troop withdrawals

The expulsion of French forces from Mali marked a turning point in relations between Paris and Bamako. This rift subsequently spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, where military coups also precipitated the withdrawal of French soldiers. Over recent years, France’s military presence in the Sahel has become a contentious issue, fueling political and public tensions throughout the region.