France is in talks with its European partners over the definitive withdrawal of their military forces from Mali.
The diplomatic relations between Bamako and Paris are at their lowest ebb in the middle of a turbulent period in Mali.
In this context, France and its European Union partners are holding talks on the future of their military presence in Mali.
According to some French media, the trend is towards a “definitive withdrawal” of the French military operation in the Sahel and Sahara known as Barkhane, and the European Union military force, Takuba, which is supposed to take over from it.
France and Mali have been involved in a political and diplomatic stand-off for the past few months.
Tensions were exacerbated by the expulsion of the French ambassador in Bamako on 31 January by the Malian transitional authorities.
Niger, a new rear base?
“Where the conditions are not met, one should not stay,” said a diplomat quoted in the French press.
“We can’t stay in Mali at any price. The conditions for our intervention are becoming increasingly difficult,” added Florence Parly, the French Minister of the Armed Forces.
France and its partners have given themselves two weeks to make a final decision.
A redeployment of the French army in the localities of Ménaka, Gossi, or Gao, towards Niger is being seriously considered.
In this regard, the French Minister of the Armed Forces visited Niamey last Wednesday to discuss with President Mohamed Bazoum over the options available.
Diplomacy between France and Mali had taken a smirk since the recall two years ago of Toumani Djime Diallo, the last ambassador of Mali in Paris.
The latter had accused the “French legionnaires” in the French Senate of bad behaviour in the “Pigalle of Bamako.”
This outburst caused a diplomatic row between Paris and Bamako over the actions of the soldiers of Operation Barkhane
Mali no longer has an ambassador in Paris.
In August 2021, the junta had proposed diplomat Moussa Sy, current diplomatic adviser in Cuba, to occupy the post.
But the choice was not validated by the French authorities who consider Sy as very close to Russia which is queuing to be Mali’s major ally should France withdraw from the country.
CD/te/lb/as/APA