UNITED NATIONS — The U.N.’s top political official for Africa called Mali’s decision to withdraw from the Sahel regional counterterrorism force “unfortunate and regrettable” Wednesday, especially at a time of increasing terrorist activity and insecurity. Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee told the U.N. Security Council that this week’s decision by Mali’s ruling junta to leave the force “is most certainly a …
BAMAKO, Mali — Mali’s ruling junta says it will withdraw from the regional counterterrorism force known as the G5 Sahel, further isolating itself while it remains under economic sanctions. The G5 Sahel force — which also includes soldiers from the neighboring West African states of Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Chad — was created in 2014 and actually deployed troops …
