Speaking from Nairobi, Emmanuel Macron expressed deep concern over the escalating jihadist violence gripping Mali. He firmly believes the Malian junta’s 2022 decision to oust French forces was a strategic misstep that has left the country more vulnerable to insurgent attacks.

According to Macron, recent events prove that the withdrawal of French troops has not improved security—instead, it has emboldened jihadist factions that now threaten Bamako and key regions.

Unprecedented jihadist offensive threatens Mali’s stability

Since late April, Mali has faced a relentless wave of attacks by jihadist groups and predominantly Tuareg rebel movements. These assaults have exposed the fragility of the current military leadership, which seized power in 2020 and 2021 after a series of coups.

Despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations, swathes of the country remain under severe threat, with civilians and government forces struggling to regain control.

France-Sahel relations strained after troop withdrawals

The expulsion of French forces from Mali marked a turning point in relations between Paris and Bamako, sparking a broader rift across the Sahel. Similar political upheavals in Burkina Faso and Niger led to the departure of French troops from those nations as well.

Over recent years, the presence of French military forces in the Sahel has become a contentious issue, fueling political and public tensions throughout the region.