Barkhane's future is more uncertain than ever. The French intervention in the Sahel, which mobilizes more than 5,000 soldiers, on Thursday evening suspended its joint operations with the Malian forces in a “
conservatory and provisional
” manner. With this warning shot, Paris hopes to force the military junta, which has taken over power in Bamako, to resume a process of democratic transition. At the end of May, Colonel Goïta, who had already led the August 2020 putsch against Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, was appointed president of Mali. It will be invested on Monday. After Idriss Déby's death in Chad and French support for the Chadian military power, Assimi Goïta no doubt thought he could push his advantage.
After minimal international condemnation, the French government decided to raise its tone.
France is asking for "
guarantees
" on the elections promised in 2022 in Mali.
Paris also warns against the growing influence of the June 5 Movement led by Imam Dicko.
The junta
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