As expected, Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday the official end of the anti-jihadist operation that Barkhane launched in 2014 in the Sahel. “We are not destined to remain in the field of operations indefinitely”, the Head of State stated during a speech delivered in Toulon.
“Our interventions need to be better limited in time,” he added. “That is why I made the decision, in coordination with other actors, to end Operation Barkhane.”
“Our partnership only makes sense if it is genuine and responds to the explicit needs of the African armies, if it complements the political, economic and administrative partnerships in these countries.”
Change of “French strategy in Africa”
The French strategy in Africa will be “completed within six months”, added Emmanuel Macron.
“We must know how to change methods, our commitment to African countries must be centered on a logic of support and cooperation, so we will begin a phase of exchanges with our African partners, to develop the status and missions of the French bases. in Africa,” continues the president.
This formalization occurs three months after the withdrawal of French troops from Mali. Following increased criticism of the French forces by local political authorities, the Head of State announced last February the withdrawal of the French troops committed to the country.
Source: BFM TV
