While following the release of more than 200 jihadists in return for the recovery of the leader of the Malian opposition under IBK, Soumaïla Cissé, and the French hostage Sophie Pétronin, among others, the negotiation debate with the jihadists has been revived, French President Emmanuel Macron made it clear, in an interview with the weekly Young Africa, France’s point of view on this. “With terrorists, we don’t argue. We’re fighting, ”he said.
Algiers Agreement Roadmap
“We must be part of the clear roadmap that are the Algiers agreements”, underlined Emmanuel Macron with reference to the peace agreement concluded in 2015 between the central Malian power, the pro-Bamako armed groups and the ‘Tuareg-dominated ex-rebellion from northern Mali. “These provide for a dialogue with different political and autonomist groups. But that does not mean that we have to dialogue with terrorist groups, which continue to kill civilians and soldiers, including our soldiers, ”he added. This agreement does not concern groups linked to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) or to the Islamic State (IS) organization which have continued, or even intensified, their actions for five years, killing hundreds.
A vision opposed to that of the new Malian authorities
The Malian transitional Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane, however stressed, during a visit by the head of French diplomacy Jean-Yves Le Drian, on October 26 in Bamako, that the “inclusive national dialogue”, a vast consultation of the country held at the end of 2019, had “very clearly indicated the need for an offer of dialogue with the jihadist armed groups”. “I simply note that the transitional authorities have reiterated their desire to fight effectively against terrorism”, preferred to note Emmanuel Macron.
Soon new initiatives
The French president also indicated that he would have, “in the coming months decisions to be taken to develop Barkhane”, the French force of more than 5,000 men present in the Sahel. A decision was so far expected by the end of the year. Almost a year after sending 600 additional soldiers to the Sahel to regain the advantage against the jihadists, Paris is on the verge of reducing the number of deployed soldiers, concordant sources told AFP in early November. . “I need a clear reiteration of the wish of our partners to see France stay by their side”, underlined the Head of State, who had already requested such a commitment from his counterparts in the G5 Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad) at the summit of Pau (southwest of France) in January.
Refocusing for Barkhane, ramping up of the G5 Sahel
Barkhane must “really refocus on our enemies, the EIGS and strictly terrorist groups”, underlined the Head of State with reference to the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (EIGS) which is part of the nebula of the ‘IS, and which Paris and its allies of the G5 Sahel had already designated as the main target at the summit of Pau. He did not, however, mention the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (Jnim, according to the Arabic acronym) headed by the Malian Tuareg leader Iyad Ag Ghaly, affiliated with Al-Qaeda. We must also “accelerate the rise of the armies of the G5 Sahel” and “internationalize our presence” by involving other European countries, he recalled.
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