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| French soldiers in Mali |
— BAMAKO
France has begun a partial withdrawal of its diplomatic personnel from Mali, citing a rapidly worsening security situation exacerbated by a jihadist-imposed fuel blockade that has crippled parts of the country.
The French government confirmed the drawdown but did not specify the number of staff being relocated. This move follows a recent urgent advisory from Paris, urging all French citizens in Mali to leave "as soon as possible" due to the severe disruption to daily life in the capital, Bamako, and other regions.
The crisis unfolds against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical alliances in the Sahel region. Mali's current military leadership, which seized power in a coup, has actively distanced the nation from its former colonial ruler, France. This pattern is mirrored in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, where juntas have also taken control.
In a strategic pivot, these military governments have expelled French forces and turned to Russia for security assistance, welcoming military contractors from the Wagner Group.
However, according to French officials and regional analysts, the growing Russian footprint has failed to curb the violence. They report that security has not improved, and the advance of jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS continues unabated.
The ongoing fuel blockade, imposed by insurgents, has strangled supply lines, highlighting the persistent grip of militant groups on the country and contributing to the decision by France to reduce its diplomatic footprint. The withdrawal signals a further fraying of ties and underscores the profound challenges facing the restive region.