This departure comes after Emmanuel Macron’s decision in February to withdraw French troops from Mali, after nine years of presence.
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After nine years of presence in Mali, the last French soldiers of the anti-jihadist force Barkhane have left the country. “At 1 p.m. (Paris time), the last detachment of the force Barkhane present on Malian soil has crossed the border between Mali and Niger”declared Monday August 15 the staff of the armies. “It came from the Gao desert operational platform, transferred to the Malian armed forces since this morning”, he says on Twitter.
In February, Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal of French troops from Mali. “On February 17, noting that the political and operational conditions were no longer met to remain engaged in Mali, France decided, in consultation with its African and European partners, to reorganize the device of Operation Barkhane outside the territory Malian”writes the Presidency of the Republic.
The Elysee further reaffirms that “France remains committed to the Sahel, the Gulf of Guinea and the Lake Chad region, with all the partners committed to stability and the fight against terrorism”. The Presidency also pays tribute “to all the soldiers who (…) fought the armed terrorist groups on Malian soil”including the 59 killed in this operation.