Coup d'état in Mali: France, taken from the rear, will be forced to reconsider its strategy

“Barkhane” continues for now. In the aftermath of the coup d'état which overthrew Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, the French general staff, which deploys 5,100 men in Mali to fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel, ensured that "operations are not interrupted" . The fighting is continuing, it is said, so as not to let the jihadists believe that they could take advantage of the instability reigning in Bamako. The memory of 2012 is in the minds. The putsch which toppled Amadou Toumani Touré had accelerated the terrorist offensive heading towards the capital. Eight years later, the Malian armed forces have learned the lesson, assures a source following the situation on the spot. In the north of the country, they have not let their guard down even though, of course, there is uncertainty.

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The Malian chaos is observed with concern by Paris as an acknowledgment of failure. This "serious event" was condemned "with the greatest firmness" by the Quai d'Orsay. But for more than two

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