Officially nothing has changed.
The famous formula
"We do not negotiate with terrorists"
remains the mantra on the agenda in the conflict in the Sahel.
Emmanuel Macron recalled in November, in an interview with
Jeune Afrique,
and with a somewhat martial tone, that he intended to stick to the Algiers agreements alone.
“These provide for a dialogue with different political and autonomist groups.
But that does not mean that we must dialogue with terrorist groups, which continue to kill civilians and soldiers, including our soldiers, ”
explained the president.
"I do not see very well what we could talk to people who intend to impose Sharia law on an entire country," said
a French official.
Read also:
The rivalry between al-Qaida and ISIS sets the Sahel on fire
But beyond the postures, the taboo of a possible dialogue with the Islamists to get out of a war that has lasted for eight years, without the slightest outcome being in sight, has long been broken.
The Malian government has openly mentioned and even promoted it.
First fiercely
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