The US Secretary of State met with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Paris. The issue of the fight against terrorism in the Sahela was raised in particular, while President Emmanuel Macron announced the in-depth transformation of Operation Barkhane in Mali. A change that should not call into question US support for the region.
“We are strong partners in the Sahel, and this partnership will continue.” Strong statement yesterday from Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State for his first visit to France since he was appointed to this post earlier this year. “Is reassuring when former President Donald Trump threatened, just a few months ago, to withdraw American troops from West Africa. The new administration will not disappoint France in the Sahel, said the new US Secretary of State. “We share the idea of developing the capacity of local partners – so that they themselves can lead the fight against terrorism – is the right approach. That makes perfect sense. But we will continue to support France’s permanent efforts in the region. ”
French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian welcomed this American support, while France recently announced the in – depth transformation of Operation Barkhane in Mali. “We are moving towards a new business model with less face-to-face but more collaboration, more Sahelization,” he said. Barkhane would therefore cautiously withdraw to leave the national armies in place while providing them with support and training. A position that the Biden administration understands. “We share this view,” says Antony Blinken, “we must move towards building the capacity of local partners’ partners.”
In principle, the two countries therefore agree, but nothing filtered out yesterday about the methods for this increase in the Sahelian armies. This subject, which is at the heart of the G5 Sahel Joint Forces project, has always been the subject of controversy between Paris and Washington.
On several occasions, Emmanuel Macron called for the joint force to have Chapter 7 of the UN to ensure sustainable funding. A solution that the United States has always refused and prefers bilateral agreements with each of the Sahel countries. When asked about this yesterday, Antony Blinken kicked in contact, but assured his Sahelian partners about US support for their country’s development.
The Citizen Coalition for the Sahel, which brings together some 30 civil society and non-governmental organizations, believes in a statement that Barkhane’s withdrawal is above all an opportunity to reconsider the fight against terrorism in the Sahel.
In particular, our organizations demand the abandonment of all security, which today has shown all its limits, after more than eight years of intervention. The civilian population in the Sahel continues to suffer and pay a high price for this conflict. So we must instead adopt an approach that puts the protection of civilian populations and the strengthening of humanitarian development aid at the center. […]
Drissa Traoré, spokeswoman for the Citizen Coalition for the Sahel
■ Assessment of the European Summit: Sahel in sight
as reported from Brussels, Pierre Bénazet
During the two days of their summit in Brussels, the 27 Heads of State and Government wanted to confirm their support, at least for the time being, a letter of intent.
Despite the French decision to put an end to Operation Barkhane, Europeans genuinely confirm that they want to continue to support the joint force in the G5 Sahel and the international missions: the UN and the European military training mission EUTM. The prime ministers of Sweden and the Netherlands also estimated that several additional European countries could become involved in the Sahel due to NATO’s departure from Afghanistan, which would automatically free up troops and resources.
“All Europeans involved in Minusma or EUTM have reaffirmed their commitment, welcomed Emmanuel Macron. Since then, nine other Europeans have already confirmed that they would join France to join the Takouba working group. And I had very clear and explicit support. “There is a real level of awareness among Europeans on this subject, a real explicit recognition of France’s commitment, an understanding of the transition we are making and a desire to remain committed to a good level by our side.”
However, there is disagreement between France’s positions and its European partners, as if Emmanuel Macron consisted in his critique of ECOWAS ‘attitude in the Malian crisis, while the 27 congratulated ECOWAS on its commitment to the transition in Mali.
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