France and partners withdraw from Mali – VG

France and its allies say they are withdrawing from Mali due to problems with the military junta that rules the country.

The forces have been fighting jihadism in the Sahel in Mali.

For several years, France has led the so-called Takuba force in the country. The force is building capacity to strengthen the country’s government army in the fight against militant Islamists.

It is almost ten years since France in 2013 started the operation against the Islamist extremists in IS and al-Qaeda.

French President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference in Paris on Thursday that France will continue to support civilians in Mali, and that the military fight against the jihadists will continue in Mali’s neighboring countries, reports NTB.

But tensions between the EU and Mali have been tense lately. In early February, the EU imposed sanctions on five members of Mali’s coup government, including Prime Minister Choguel Maiga, for obstructing the transition to civilian rule.

Increasing tension

Mali has since been ruled by a military junta led by 38-year-old Colonel Assimi Goïta.

The current government last year staged a coup in the country, removing the transitional civilian government in Mali. This has led to tension and conflict with France.

Tensions between Mali and the EU and other international partners rose further as Goïta also postponed the next presidential election for four years, until 2026.

In January, Danish forces were withdrawn from the country, following strong requests from Mali’s government. According to the Mali government, Denmark had not sufficiently consulted with the Malian authorities before sending in their troops.

Norway’s presence continues

Norway has also had military personnel in Mali since 2013, as part of the UN operation MINUSMA. Norway has nine people in the country who run the military camp Bifrost, and six officers at MINUSMA’s headquarters in the capital Bamako.

In addition, Norway has regularly provided transport subsidies in the form of a Hercules transport aircraft. This UN operation in Mali will continue.

– Barkhane and Takuba have helped to support this operation. We are concerned that good solutions are found so that MINUSMA can continue to operate and carry out its mandate. This is also important for us to be able to continue our humanitarian and development efforts, says Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen in a press release on Thursday.

The Ministry of Defense states that Norway has joined the French joint statement, which states that the Taukuba force is withdrawing. The “political, operational and legal preconditions” are no longer in place for this joint force to remain there, the ministry writes.

– We are concerned about the political, security and humanitarian developments in Mali and the Sahel. The challenges in the Sahel must be met with a holistic, coordinated and realistic response, says Enoksen.

According to the plan, Norwegian forces were also to participate in the French Takuba forces, but this was canceled due to a “lack of legal framework with Mali”.

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