A decade after France began its military intervention in Mali to oust jihadist militants from the country’s north, its influence in the Sahel region of West Africa is waning. Bilateral security cooperation agreements with its regional partners are largely in tatters. And Russia is elbowing its way in as a new prominent security guarantor in a region long regarded as a French sphere of influence. First, France will end its practice of establishing military bases in African countries and instead lean on enhanced collaboration with regional militaries. Second, France will increase the range of trainings and equipment available to its African partners.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 18, 2023 12:48 UTC