Mali Terminates Military Agreements with France

Facts

• On Mon., Mali's military government announced it had terminated all military cooperation treaties with France, condemning 'flagrant violations' of Mali's national sovereignty by French forces deployed in the country.¹
• Apart from the French-led anti-jihadist 'Operation Barkhane,' the Malian transition authorities' decision also extends to the French-led European Task 'Force Takuba.'²
• On Tues., Mali's foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop said that France had lost its 'legal basis' for further military operations in Mali. The formal termination of the contracts is to take effect within six months.³
• Meanwhile, France condemned Mali's decision as 'unjustified.' According to a French military spokesman, Paris will continue the 'orderly withdrawal' of its troops from Mali.⁴
• Relations between Mali and France deteriorated after the Malian military staged a coup in Aug. 2020. In Jun. 2021, the Elysée formally announced the end of Barkhane to restructure the French military presence in the Sahel.⁵
• Tensions between Bamako and the West continued to rise after reports that Malian authorities asked the Russian military company Wagner for assistance in fighting Islamists in the country.⁶

Sources: ¹The East African, ²Diplomatie, ³France24 (a), ⁴France24 (b), ⁵Al Jazeera and ⁶France24 (c).

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Foreign Affairs. The West should step up in Africa, drive a wedge between Russian and Chinese influence, and work to better the lives of millions on the continent. Right now, Russia is sweeping in and capitalizing on waning French and American power. African states are frustrated by the West's bumbling counterterrorism policies, and Russia brings weapons, contractors and autocrat-friendly business dealings to the table.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by EU Reporter. It's understandable that the Malians have had enough and are looking at other options. The obscure fight against terrorism and the concern for democracy serve France only to continue to exercise control over the natural resources of its former colonies in Africa. With its neo-colonial strategy France gambles away any remaining credibility.
• Narrative C, as provided by Premium Times Nigeria. ISIS-affiliated groups are preying on the entire continent. The nations of Sub-Saharan Africa must rise up together to fight instability, extremism, and poverty. Foreign powers are no help and only make matters worse.