France hosts talks on Mali, intends to withdraw troops
2 years, 10 months ago

France hosts talks on Mali, intends to withdraw troops

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron met with African and European leaders Wednesday evening in Paris ahead of an expected announcement of the withdrawal of French troops from Mali. The EU this month imposed sanctions on five senior members of Mali’s transitional government, including Prime Minister Choguel Maiga, accusing them of working to obstruct the country’s transition from military to civilian rule. “The situation in the Sahel is a serious crisis on the threshold of Europe,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who planned to attend Wednesday’s talks in Paris. German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Wednesday that “in our view the latest political developments in Mali are worrying and of course they could affect German and international involvement in Mali.” ___ Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.

France Region French Paris European Macron Mali Malian Sahel Hosts Talks  european  african  troops  transitional  france  withdraw  military  mali  sahel  french  hosts  talks  intends  paris  region

History of this topic

Senegal and Chad say ousting of French troops was their sovereign decision
Trending News
1 day, 20 hours ago

Senegal and Chad say ousting of French troops was their sovereign decision

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese and Chadian leaders said that the ousting of French troops from their territories was their sovereign decision, rejecting remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron that suggested otherwise. Macron said Monday at an annual meeting of foreign ambassadors that France had “proposed to the African heads of state to reorganize our presence.” He added, “As we are …

Macron’s claim that Africans failed to say ‘thank you’ for French military aid sparks outrage
2 days, 11 hours ago

Macron’s claim that Africans failed to say ‘thank you’ for French military aid sparks outrage

CNN  

CNN — African governments have criticized a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron in which he said that some leaders showed “ingratitude” for the deployment of his nation’s troops in the Sahel region in battling Islamist extremism. “Ingratitude, I am well placed to know, is a disease not transmissible to man.” Macron’s comments were denounced by Chad’s foreign affairs minister, …

Africa on ‘France Out’ campaign, ally Ivory Coast latest to join the bandwagon
1 week ago

Africa on ‘France Out’ campaign, ally Ivory Coast latest to join the bandwagon

Firstpost  

In recent months, six African countries have asked France to withdraw their troops, significantly curtailing France’s influence in the region that it had traditionally had a sway in Ivory Coast has become the latest African country to join the ‘France Out’ campaign. Despite years of counter-insurgency activities, at least six countries have asked France to withdraw soldiers: Ivory Coast, Chad, …

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so
1 week, 1 day ago

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so

Live Mint  

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday that French troops will leave the country after a decadeslong military presence, the latest African nation to downscale military ties with its former colonial power. France has suffered similar setbacks in several West African countries in recent years, including Chad, Niger and Burkina Faso, where French troops that have been on …

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so
Top News
1 week, 1 day ago

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so

Associated Press  

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday that French troops will leave the country after a decadeslong military presence, the latest African nation to downscale military ties with its former colonial power. Analysts have described the requests for French troops to leave Africa as part of the wider structural transformation in the region’s engagement with Paris. France has …

Why African countries are ousting France’s military, one by one
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Why African countries are ousting France’s military, one by one

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Chad’s decision marks the final nail in the coffin …

France's military is being ousted from more African countries. Here's why
2 weeks, 6 days ago

France's military is being ousted from more African countries. Here's why

Deccan Chronicle  

Dakar: It's been a tumultuous month for France and its relationship with former colonies in Africa, as its influence on the continent faces the biggest challenge in decades. “Chad’s decision marks the final nail in the coffin of France’s post-colonial military dominance in the entire Sahel region,” said Mucahid Durmaz, a senior analyst at global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, referring …

France’s military is being ousted from more African countries. Here’s why
2 weeks, 6 days ago

France’s military is being ousted from more African countries. Here’s why

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — It’s been a tumultuous month for France and its relationship with former colonies in Africa, as its influence on the continent faces the biggest challenge in decades. “Chad’s decision marks the final nail in the coffin of France’s post-colonial military dominance in the entire Sahel region,” said Mucahid Durmaz, a senior analyst at global risk consultancy Verisk …

Paris eyes post-Assad Syria: Diplomatic team set for assessment mission
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Paris eyes post-Assad Syria: Diplomatic team set for assessment mission

Firstpost  

Most EU governments welcomed Bashar al-Assad’s fall but are considering whether they can work with the rebels who ousted him, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group that is designated a terrorist organisation by the EU France will send a team of diplomats to Syria on Tuesday to assess the political and security situation, the foreign ministry said, without specifying …

Paris conference aims to rally military and humanitarian support for Lebanon
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Paris conference aims to rally military and humanitarian support for Lebanon

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Still, France's historic links with Lebanon, a former colony, …

Sending combat troops to Ukraine 'not on table': French minister
10 months ago

Sending combat troops to Ukraine 'not on table': French minister

The Hindu  

The deployment of Western combat troops to fight against Russia on the ground in Ukraine is not on the table but new ways need to be found to battle the Russian invasion, France's defence minister said on Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron last month sent shockwaves around Ukraine when he refused to rule out any option in the conflict, including …

The French president raised the prospect of Western troops in Ukraine. What was he thinking?
10 months, 1 week ago

The French president raised the prospect of Western troops in Ukraine. What was he thinking?

LA Times  

French President Emmanuel Macron, shown at a press conference in Paris on Monday, floated the possibility of Western troops helping in Ukraine last week after 20 European heads of state, and other Western officials, met in Paris. Macron’s remarks, allies’ reactions Macron floated the possibility of Western troops helping in Ukraine while speaking at a news conference last week after …

Au revoir, Sahel: Did 2023 crush France’s influence in Africa?
1 year ago

Au revoir, Sahel: Did 2023 crush France’s influence in Africa?

Al Jazeera  

France’s hold on its African allies significantly shrunk in 2023. February: French troops pull out of Burkina Faso Following the departure of its 4,500-strong Operation Barkhane force from Mali in August 2022, French troops also pulled out of neighbouring Burkina Faso this February. Not only had some of the French troops exiting Mali in 2022 been resettled in Niger, but …

France’s Macron says anti-ISIL coalition should fight Hamas
1 year, 2 months ago

France’s Macron says anti-ISIL coalition should fight Hamas

Al Jazeera  

The French president expressed solidarity with Israel and said that the two nations face common foe of terrorism. In a press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Macron offered “solidarity” in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7 and said that France and Israel share a “common enemy” in defeating “terrorism”. “France …

France has banned pro-Palestinian protests and vowed to protect Jews from resurgent antisemitism
1 year, 2 months ago

France has banned pro-Palestinian protests and vowed to protect Jews from resurgent antisemitism

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s interior minister on Thursday ordered local authorities to ban all pro-Palestinian demonstrations amid a rise in antisemitic acts since Hamas attacked Israel over the weekend. ’’Let us stay united.″ With several French-Israeli citizens believed held hostage by Hamas, Macron pledged that France would protect its Jewish citizens and be ’’ruthless toward all those who bear hate,″ and …

France has banned pro-Palestinian protests and vowed to protect Jews from resurgent antisemitism
1 year, 2 months ago

France has banned pro-Palestinian protests and vowed to protect Jews from resurgent antisemitism

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy France’s interior minister on Thursday …

What’s behind the French leader’s visit to central Africa?
1 year, 10 months ago

What’s behind the French leader’s visit to central Africa?

Al Jazeera  

France has already announced it’s scaling down its military presence on the African continent. French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting four nations in central Africa. He’s hoping to regain influence on a continent where the former colonial power now faces competition from other nations, notably China and Russia. France has announced it’s scaling back its military presence on the continent …

Macron: ‘New era’ in economic, military strategy in Africa
1 year, 10 months ago

Macron: ‘New era’ in economic, military strategy in Africa

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to reduce the number of French troops in Africa under a “new security partnership” with the concerned nations and to roll out more ambitious economic policies, in a bid to boost France’s waning influence in the continent. Macron called for opening a “new era” in a speech at the Elysee presidential palace, ahead …

Burkina Faso's junta chief denies diplomatic split from Paris
1 year, 11 months ago

Burkina Faso's junta chief denies diplomatic split from Paris

Firstpost  

France had special forces based in the capital Ouagadougou, but its presence had come under intense scrutiny as anti-French sentiment in the region grows, with Paris withdrawing its ambassador to Burkina over the junta’s demands Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso’s junta leader said Friday his country had not severed diplomatic ties with France, which he has asked to withdraw its forces, and …

France agrees to withdraw troops from Burkina Faso within a month
1 year, 11 months ago

France agrees to withdraw troops from Burkina Faso within a month

Al Jazeera  

The move comes after the Sahel country’s military rulers demanded that Paris withdraw its forces. France will withdraw its troops from Burkina Faso within a month after the West African country’s military rulers asked it to leave, the French foreign ministry said, in a move that will further reduce its presence in a region facing growing violence from armed groups. …

Burkina Faso demands departure of French troops: Report
1 year, 11 months ago

Burkina Faso demands departure of French troops: Report

Al Jazeera  

Burkina Faso’s military government has ordered French troops stationed in the West African country to leave within a month. The decision, announced by the official Agence d’Information du Burkina on Saturday, is the latest sign of deteriorating relations between France and its former colony since a second military coup in September of last year. “Despite their presence on Burkinabe soil …

Last French troops leave Mali, ending nine-year deployment
2 years, 4 months ago

Last French troops leave Mali, ending nine-year deployment

Al Jazeera  

France announced withdrawal in February as relations with Bamako frayed in wake of military coups in 2020 and 2021. France has said its final troops have left Mali, completing a withdrawal that ends a nine-year operation in the country at the centre of the Sahel region’s spiralling security crisis. “Today at 1pm Paris time the final contingent of the Barkhane …

French military: Last group of soldiers has left Mali
2 years, 4 months ago

French military: Last group of soldiers has left Mali

Associated Press  

NICE, France — The last French army unit left Mali on Monday, according to a statement from the French military, nine years after Paris sent troops to the West African country to help drive Islamic extremists from power. France’s armed forces completed their withdrawal from Mali six months after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to pull out of …

What to make of the French exit from Mali?
2 years, 10 months ago

What to make of the French exit from Mali?

Al Jazeera  

On February 17, France and its European allies announced that they will begin withdrawing their troops from Mali after nearly 10 years. In response, France first suspended its joint military operations with Malian forces and then announced its decision to “draw down” its counterinsurgency campaign in Mali, known as Operation Barkhane. Barkane’s failure and the trouble with foreign military interventions …

France and EU to withdraw troops from Mali, remain in region
2 years, 10 months ago

France and EU to withdraw troops from Mali, remain in region

Associated Press  

PARIS — France announced Thursday that it will no longer have troops in Mali by the summer amid tensions with the country’s ruling military junta, although Paris intends to maintain a military presence in neighboring West African nations. But Malian army spokesman Col. Major Souleymane Dembélé said that despite the presence of French and European forces in Mali, the country …

Uncertainty looms in Mali as France announces troop pullout
2 years, 10 months ago

Uncertainty looms in Mali as France announces troop pullout

Associated Press  

BAMAKO, Mali — France’s announcement Thursday that it will withdraw its troops from Mali was anticipated by many in this West African nation where Malians have protested the presence of soldiers from the former colonial power. He told The Associated Press he heard with regret French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement Thursday that France will withdraw its military from Mali within …

France to pull troops from Mali after decade-long jihadist fight
2 years, 10 months ago

France to pull troops from Mali after decade-long jihadist fight

The Hindu  

France announced on Thursday that it would withdraw its troops from Mali over a breakdown in relations with the country's ruling junta, after nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency that still poses a major threat to the West African nation and beyond. Mr. Macron warned that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group had made the Sahel and the …

France, European allies announce military withdrawal from Mali
2 years, 10 months ago

France, European allies announce military withdrawal from Mali

Al Jazeera  

French President Emmanuel Macron denies that the almost decade-long military deployment led by his country has ended in failure. A statement signed by France and its African and European allies and published on Thursday said that “multiple obstructions” by the ruling military government meant that the conditions were no longer in place to operate in Mali. “The political, operational and …

Timeline: Nine years of French troops in Mali
2 years, 10 months ago

Timeline: Nine years of French troops in Mali

Al Jazeera  

The relationship between France and its former colony has soured over the years as armed non-state actors grew bolder. France and its European allies are pulling their troops out of Mali after the country’s military rule brought in Russian mercenaries and refused to stick to a calendar to hold elections. As part of the operation, some 3,000 French troops operate …

Macron expected to announce French withdrawal from Mali
2 years, 10 months ago

Macron expected to announce French withdrawal from Mali

Al Jazeera  

Withdrawal would mark a major strategic shift by France, which has had troops in Mali for nine years. The pullout from Mali, with a redeployment of forces to other countries in the region, amounts to a major strategic shift by France, ending a nine-year mission that successive French presidents had argued was crucial for regional and European security. “If the …

Mali expels France envoy over ‘hostile and outrageous’ remarks
2 years, 11 months ago

Mali expels France envoy over ‘hostile and outrageous’ remarks

Al Jazeera  

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had said that Mali’s military gov’t was ‘out of control’ and illegitimate. Mali gave the French ambassador 72 hours notice on Monday to leave the country after “hostile and outrageous” comments by former colonial power France about its transitional government, it said in a statement read on national television. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le …

France hosts Libya conference ahead of polls in war-torn nation
3 years, 1 month ago

France hosts Libya conference ahead of polls in war-torn nation

Al Jazeera  

French President Emmanuel Macron hosts leaders and diplomats in Paris for an international conference on Friday aimed at ensuring Libya sticks to a plan to hold elections in December and turn a new page in its history. Earlier this week, Libya opened registration for election candidates, with speculation mounting over possible presidential bids by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar and …

Mali summons French ambassador over President Macron’s criticism
3 years, 3 months ago

Mali summons French ambassador over President Macron’s criticism

Al Jazeera  

Mali’s gov’t expressed ‘ indignation, disapproval’ after Macron’s suggestions that its government was ‘not even really one’. Mali has summoned France’s ambassador to the country to register its “indignation” at French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent criticism of the country’s government, which is dominated by army figures. Macron later told French media that Maiga’s comments were “unacceptable” and suggested that Mali’s …

Emmanuel Macron in Iraq: Will stay on 'no matter what choices' US makes, vows French president
3 years, 4 months ago

Emmanuel Macron in Iraq: Will stay on 'no matter what choices' US makes, vows French president

Firstpost  

The promise is in line with Macron’s commitment made during a regional summit in Baghdad devoted to fight against terrorism and the impact of Taliban takeover of Afghanistan as the US withdraws. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday visited the Islamic State jihadist group’s former Iraqi stronghold Mosul, a day after vowing to keep troops in the country. In a …

France to pull more than 2,000 troops from Africa’s Sahel region
3 years, 6 months ago

France to pull more than 2,000 troops from Africa’s Sahel region

Al Jazeera  

President Emmanuel Macron tells G5 summit that France will reduce its force to 2,500 to 3,000 troops over the long term. France will soon begin reshaping its military presence in the Sahel region of West Africa and will ultimately halve it, President Emmanuel Macron has said. Reconfiguring French presence France will focus over the next six months on dismantling the …

As France plans to shrink Sahel force, jihadi threat grows
3 years, 6 months ago

As France plans to shrink Sahel force, jihadi threat grows

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

France resumes joint military operations in Mali
3 years, 6 months ago

France resumes joint military operations in Mali

Al Jazeera  

France suspended the operations early last month following the West African country’s second coup in less than a year. France has announced it will resume joint military operations in Mali after suspending them early last month following the West African country’s second coup in less than a year. Following consultations with the Malian transitional authorities and the countries of the …

France’s Macron rules out immediate troop drawdown from Sahel
3 years, 10 months ago

France’s Macron rules out immediate troop drawdown from Sahel

Al Jazeera  

French president says rushed exit from volatile region in West Africa would be a mistake, as Chad deploys reinforcements. President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out an immediate drawdown in France’s 5,100-strong Barkhane forces battling armed groups in the Sahel region of West Africa, describing a rushed exit as a mistake. Armed groups affiliated to al-Qaeda and ISIL, once confined to …

Ahead of Sahel summit, where do France and G5 countries stand?
3 years, 10 months ago

Ahead of Sahel summit, where do France and G5 countries stand?

Al Jazeera  

Leaders of five Sahelian countries in West Africa and their French counterpart will hold a summit this week to discuss the fight against armed groups in the volatile region. The heads of state of the so-called G5 Sahel countries – Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – will converge in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, while French President Emmanuel Macron will …

France seeks strategy change to reduce troops in West Africa
4 years ago

France seeks strategy change to reduce troops in West Africa

Associated Press  

PARIS — As it pays tribute Thursday to French soldiers killed in Mali and faces questions over a deadly airstrike, France is considering changing its military strategy against Islamic extremists in Africa’s Sahel region — and a possible partial troop pullout. Defense Minister Florence Parly said France will “very likely” reduce its 5,100 troops in the Sahel region, in an …

France says its forces kill 50 Islamic extremists in Mali
4 years, 2 months ago

France says its forces kill 50 Islamic extremists in Mali

Associated Press  

PARIS — French military forces fighting Islamic extremists in West Africa killed more than 50 jihadists and detained four in an operation last week in Mali, French officials said. Defense Minister Florence Parly tweeted Monday night that the French force in the region also confiscated weapons and equipment from the fighters in the operation last Friday, which she said “shows …

France, Sahel nations to bolster military cooperation
4 years, 11 months ago

France, Sahel nations to bolster military cooperation

Al Jazeera  

French President Macron commits to extra 220 troops in push against fighters in the Sahel. France and five West African states agreed on Monday to combine their military forces under one command structure to fight a growing battle in the Sahel region, with Paris committing an extra 220 troops. French President Emmanuel Macron had called the leaders of Mali, Burkina …

French President urges resumption of Iran nuclear talks
5 years, 3 months ago

French President urges resumption of Iran nuclear talks

The Quint  

United Nations, Sep 25 French President Emmanuel Macron called on the US and Iran to return to talks as tensions between the two nations have escalated in the recent past. "More than ever, I sincerely and profoundly believe that the time has come to resume negotiations between the US, Iran, the signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and …

Discover Related