France’s military-focused approach has failed to contain violence in the region. Now, Paris has decided to exit
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a major reduction of France’s military presence in the Sahel region, where Paris along with international forces have been battling with various militant groups since 2013.
“We will make a drawdown in an organised way,” Macron said at the news conference, without giving a timeframe. While Macron said France’s existing Operation Barkhane would end, its military presence would remain as a part of the so-called Takuba Task Force. Western countries have long considered involvement in the Sahel as a risky move given the ever-growing presence of military groups and their role in arms and people smuggling.
Despite some success, including last year's killing of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb leader Abdelmalek Droukdel, France has largely failed to contain the insurgency and violence continues to terrorise the locals en masse. Coupled with the failed anti-insurgency efforts, civilian killings have prompted growing anti-French sentiment in the region where many question the presence of their former colonial power. detailed French airstrikes that killed 19 civilians at a wedding party in Central Mali. Despite the testimonies of eyewitnesses and confirmation of the killings by local groups, France claimed it struck armed groups.
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