Paris: France and European partners “cannot remain with such things” in Mali after the country’s military junta expelled a contingent of Danish forces, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday.
“Given this situation, the outbreak of political framework and military framework (in Mali), we cannot stick with such things,” said Le Drian to RTL Radio.
He complained about the growth of “obstacles” placed on Jalan Europe, France and international forces deployed to fight the Jihadist rebellion in the West African country that had spread through Sahel.
But Le Drian won’t say whether Paris considered pulling his barkane mission at all.
“This is not just a French decision, it is collective, and we have opened talks with our African and European partners to see how we can adjust our spread with a new situation,” he said.
Last year France announced a reduction in troops in Mali while building a group of European special forces nicknamed Takuba.
But the relationship has deteriorated with the ruling military government in 2020.
The Russian Mercenary Wagner Group was deployed to Mali, the US and others said, even when Junta had demanded Denmark to attract the elite army.
Apart from trouble, “We must continue to fight terrorism …
scattered throughout the region, it is not only present in Mali,” said Le Drian, added that France would work with “everyone who likes to fight with us”.
He also remembers that 53 French soldiers have died in Mali since Paris first sent troops in 2013, and called the request of senior junta officials for “silence” from the “embarrassing” defense minister.