Don't take our troops for granted, France warns West African states

By John Irish
PARIS, May 28 (Reuters) - West African states fighting
Islamist militancy in the region should not take France's
military presence for granted because Paris will not be there
forever, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Tuesday.
The Sahel region is suffering from a spike of violence from
militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State,
highlighting the difficulty international partners face in
restoring regional stability.
The northern region of Burkina Faso, bordering Mali and
Niger, has been especially hard hit in recent months, while
spiralling ethnic conflicts have also added to the instability.
"The authorities of the countries in the Sahel should not
stay in the comfort zone of thinking Barkhane (French forces) is
behind them," Le Drian told the parliamentary foreign affairs
committee.
"It's a temptation, (but) progressively what needs to be
said is that the security of Africans will be ensured by
Africans. The aim isn't for Barkhane to stay there for an
eternity."
France, the former colonial power in the region, intervened
in Mali in 2013 to drive out Islamist militants who had occupied
the north. It has since kept about 4,500 troops in the region as
part of Barkhane counter-terrorism operations.
Led by Paris, Western powers have provided funding to a
regional force made up of soldiers from Mali, Niger, Burkina
Faso, Chad and Mauritania to combat jihadists.
But the so-called G5 force has been hobbled by delays in
disbursing the money and poor coordination between the five
countries while insecurity has escalated.
"The joint force must progressively assume its
responsibilities. Barkhane can't do everything. The baton must
be taken by the countries concerned. It's happening , but not
fast enough," Le Drian said.
His comments were a rare criticism of the Sahel powers. It
shows a growing frustration from France as the violence has
taken new dimensions in recent months with repeated Islamist
attacks and communal clashes especially in Mali.
The Malian authorities have also come under fire for failing
to disarm militias or beat back Islamist insurgents, who have
been capitalising on the ethnic violence to recruit new members
and extend their reach in the Sahel.
Le Drian also said that the United Nations MINUSMA
peacekeeping mission based in Mali since 2013 and which includes
about 15,000 soldiers and police, would face a test next month
when its mandate is due to be renewed.
The United States said in March it had failed to deliver
peace and the Security Council should consider a major drawdown.
"There is pressure from U.S. that wants to reduce costs on
peacekeeping forces and could convince some actors (to curb the
mission)," Le Drian said.