The clashed relations between Paris and Bamako show that the former colonial power wants at all costs to keep its influence on its former colony, estimates the Doctor of Political Science and teacher-researcher at the Catholic University of West Africa. (Ucao) from Dakar, Adama Sadio, interviewed by APA.1. The withdrawal from Mali of soldiers from Barkhane and Takuba was decided on Thursday during the EU-AU Summit. How do you analyze this decision?
French forces have been in Mali for nine years, but that hasn’t stopped the country from living in insecurity. The instability persists. Moreover, this is what explains the dissatisfaction of the Malian populations and authorities who are asking for their departure.
Now, we are in a global geopolitical dynamic where Mali calls on Russia, not to say “Russian mercenaries” also present in the Central African Republic.
A year ago, it was these same mercenaries who had helped the power of Bangui, threatened by the rebels, to maintain itself. These men also intervened in Syria when Bashar Al Assad’s regime was in great difficulty.
The war once morest jihadism in the Sahel is extremely complicated. Until then, we can say that the French army had good intentions. However, nothing is yet won in practice.
The future will tell us if the withdrawal of foreign troops is a risky bet for Mali or not. One thing is certain: Wagner has already obtained results elsewhere even if he is accused of all the bird names, including human rights violations…
We must not forget to recall that the French army, which intervened in the Central African Republic under the banner of the United Nations, also committed acts of pedophilia. That is to say that what is reproached to the Russians at present, is found in other armies.
2. France and its allies will redeploy from other countries in the Sahel. How does this choice inspire you?
It’s just because France doesn’t want to lose Mali. To tell the truth, she does not want to leave Mali. The issue is not only democracy. It is much more geostrategic and economic.
In Chad, for example, Paris installed Deby Jr. as head of the country and lobbied intensely to prevent N’Djamena from being sanctioned by the African Union (AU) or the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa.
Quite the opposite of what the Elysée did for Bamako when the two powers came from a coup d’etat. France has activated all its levers so that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the AU and the international community sanction Mali.
This is due to the fact that France does not want to leave and lose Mali. A report by the French Senate, published in 2014, says that the future of France is in Africa.
France is indeed a car whose engine is the black continent. She really needs him. The problem is that today there is a feeling, not anti-French as some say, but rather an anti-French political feeling in Africa which is gaining more and more ground.
France lost the Central African Republic. Today, with the Malian junta, Paris is also on the verge of losing. There is a contagion effect that she fears.
The other aspect that should not be lost sight of, if France is a member of the United Nations Security Council, beyond being among the victorious States of the Second World War, is because it had important colonies on the African continent.
It is necessary to add the galloping demography of this continent which worries on the one hand the Westerners, but which represents at the same time an enormous market for their companies.
Several major European brands are setting up in our countries. It is a policy well thought out by Westerners. Every year, an African country discovers oil or gas.
France needs these resources more and more to ensure its supply, especially in a very tense context with Russia. Finally, it needs Africa to assert itself as an African military power. It is only on this continent that France can change the course of a country’s history.
The post Mali: “France does not want to lose Mali” (expert) appeared first on Bangui Newspaper.
