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France Said to Be Mulling Sahel Troop Reduction

Nicolas Pinault

   PARIS - Observers say France is considering downsizing its military
   presence as the security situation stabilizes in Africa's Sahel region.
   French troops and African nations have been fighting together against
   extremist groups there. The size of the French contingent may soon
   drastically change.

   In his annual New Year's wishes to the military a few weeks ago,
   President Emmanuel Macron made it clear that France could "adjust" its
   forces in the Sahel, pointing to a possible reduction in the size of
   the so-called Barkhane Force.
   French soldiers have been fighting extremist groups for years along
   with soldiers from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Chad.
   In 2020, the former colonial power boosted its troop presence by 600,
   bringing the total to 5,100 soldiers to counter extremists. After major
   successes with the killing of top jihadists commanders, France wants to
   withdraw the 600 temporary reinforcements and return the number of
   troops remaining to 4,500.
   General Dominique Trinquand, former head of the French military mission
   with the United Nations, said the additional 600 French troops that
   were deployed a year ago would probably return to France as they
   completed their mission to degrade the enemy and its capacities in the
   three-border zone (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso).

   Trinquand thinks the move should not have a negative impact on the
   ground. However, he is concerned about the ability of the African
   troops and the European reinforcements to compensate for the departure.

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