The article was published on lediplomate.media on May 16, 2026.
In the red dust of the Sahel, where war rages far from European eyes, Mali faces a harsh reality: those holding the front line against chaos are not easily replaced. The current attacks are not accidents or destiny; they are the foreseeable outcome of a political rupture claimed as an act of sovereignty. This sovereignty, fueled by anti-French rhetoric, has become a tool for internal legitimacy.
Recently, Bamako demanded the departure of French forces, and this demand was fulfilled. French convoys left amid criticism from some of the public, ignoring the critical role French forces played in stopping the jihadist advance in 2013.
President Macron acknowledged that Mali’s decision to expel the French army was not the best choice. He highlighted the strategic importance of French intervention in preventing Mali from descending into disarray. The recent vacuum created by the departure of French forces has left Malian authorities struggling to maintain control.
The sacrifices made by the 58 French soldiers who perished in the Sahel should not be forgotten, as they were essential in preventing the establishment of a terrorist stronghold in the region. While mistakes were made, France’s military efforts in the region were significant.
Despite French efforts, Mali chose to break away from this architecture in pursuit of proclaimed independence, accepting the consequences of this decision. President Macron’s statement about Bamako’s choice reflects the harsh reality that sovereignty alone cannot contain jihadist forces in certain regions.
For France, the Sahel was a diplomatic challenge, but for French soldiers, it remains a battlefield where honor is not negotiable based on public opinion.
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