Macron criticizes Mali junta over french troop withdrawal amid jihadist surge

During a visit to Nairobi, French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply criticized Mali’s military leadership for their decision to expel French troops, calling it a strategic misstep amid escalating jihadist violence.

Macron’s assessment of Mali’s security crisis

Emmanuel Macron, addressing the worsening security situation in Mali during his diplomatic visit to Kenya, stated that the Malian junta’s decision to remove French military support was not in the country’s best interest. The French President emphasized that recent developments have demonstrated the critical role played by French troops in combating jihadist threats until their withdrawal in 2022.

Unprecedented jihadist offensive threatens Mali’s stability

Since late April, Mali has been grappling with an unprecedented coordinated offensive led by jihadist groups and predominantly Tuareg rebel factions. This surge has severely weakened the military government that came to power following the 2020 and 2021 coups. Several regions now face growing insecurity, despite ongoing domestic military operations.

France-Sahel relations strained by troop withdrawals

The expulsion of French forces from Mali marked a historic rupture in relations between Paris and Bamako. This rift has since expanded to Burkina Faso and Niger, where military coups have also led to the departure of French soldiers. For years, French military presence in the Sahel has been a contentious issue, sparking political and social tensions across the region.