Latest news with #Francophone
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
West Africa's security woes no longer France's concern, minister says
By Tim Cocks JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -The insecurity plaguing West Africa is no longer France's concern, its state minister for ties with Francophone countries and international partnerships said on Friday, a week after Paris handed over control of its last major military base in the region. Thani Mohamed-Soilihi was speaking to journalists in a phone briefing in South Africa, where he was attending the Group of 20 top economies' week of discussions on global development. "I'm sorry to say, but it no longer concerns us," Mohamed-Soilihi said, in answer to a Reuters question about the risk of insecurity posed by France's military absence. "That's a shame, because everyone can see the difference between (now and then)," he added. "But we are looking for other ways to maintain ties (that are) not necessarily military." In the past three years, France has gradually dismantled its once-substantial military presence in its African ex-colonies, where for decades it had beaten back jihadist militants, arrested armed criminals, rescued several presidents from armed rebellions - and, in earlier times, backed coups itself. Since 2022, France has pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, after military coups brought in leaders hostile to the French presence. Chad - a linchpin of the West's war against jihadists in the Sahel - abruptly ended its security cooperation pact with its former colonial master in November. More than a decade of insurgencies in the Sahel have displaced millions and engendered economic collapse, with violence pushing further south towards West Africa's coast. The last two months have seen a surge in jihadist attacks, making them one of the deadliest periods of the Sahel's history. "We continue to deal with countries that so wish," Mohamed-Soilihi said. "But ... France won't be able to respond to the security problems of countries with which there is no longer a relationship." Solve the daily Crossword
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
West Africa's security woes no longer France's concern, minister says
JOHANNESBURG, July 25 (Reuters) - The insecurity plaguing West Africa is no longer France's concern, its state minister for ties with Francophone countries and international partnerships said on Friday, a week after Paris handed over control of its last major military base in the region. Thani Mohamed-Soilihi was speaking to journalists in a phone briefing in South Africa, where he was attending the Group of 20 top economies' week of discussions on global development. "I'm sorry to say, but it no longer concerns us," Mohamed-Soilihi said, in answer to a Reuters question about the risk of insecurity posed by France's military absence. "That's a shame, because everyone can see the difference between (now and then)," he added. "But we are looking for other ways to maintain ties (that are) not necessarily military." In the past three years, France has gradually dismantled its once-substantial military presence in its African ex-colonies, where for decades it had beaten back jihadist militants, arrested armed criminals, rescued several presidents from armed rebellions - and, in earlier times, backed coups itself. Since 2022, France has pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, after military coups brought in leaders hostile to the French presence. Chad - a linchpin of the West's war against jihadists in the Sahel - abruptly ended its security cooperation pact with its former colonial master in November. More than a decade of insurgencies in the Sahel have displaced millions and engendered economic collapse, with violence pushing further south towards West Africa's coast. The last two months have seen a surge in jihadist attacks, making them one of the deadliest periods of the Sahel's history. "We continue to deal with countries that so wish," Mohamed-Soilihi said. "But ... France won't be able to respond to the security problems of countries with which there is no longer a relationship."
The Star
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
West Africa's security woes no longer France's concern, minister says
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -The insecurity plaguing West Africa is no longer France's concern, its state minister for ties with Francophone countries and international partnerships said on Friday, a week after Paris handed over control of its last major military base in the region. Thani Mohamed-Soilihi was speaking to journalists in a phone briefing in South Africa, where he was attending the Group of 20 top economies' week of discussions on global development. "I'm sorry to say, but it no longer concerns us," Mohamed-Soilihi said, in answer to a Reuters question about the risk of insecurity posed by France's military absence. "That's a shame, because everyone can see the difference between (now and then)," he added. "But we are looking for other ways to maintain ties (that are) not necessarily military." In the past three years, France has gradually dismantled its once-substantial military presence in its African ex-colonies, where for decades it had beaten back jihadist militants, arrested armed criminals, rescued several presidents from armed rebellions - and, in earlier times, backed coups itself. Since 2022, France has pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, after military coups brought in leaders hostile to the French presence. Chad - a linchpin of the West's war against jihadists in the Sahel - abruptly ended its security cooperation pact with its former colonial master in November. More than a decade of insurgencies in the Sahel have displaced millions and engendered economic collapse, with violence pushing further south towards West Africa's coast. The last two months have seen a surge in jihadist attacks, making them one of the deadliest periods of the Sahel's history. "We continue to deal with countries that so wish," Mohamed-Soilihi said. "But ... France won't be able to respond to the security problems of countries with which there is no longer a relationship." (Reporting by Tim Cocks; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
West Africa's security woes no longer France's concern, minister says
French Junior Minister for Francophonie and International Partnerships Thani Mohamed Soilihi arrives to attend a visit at the Visa Department of the Immigration office (Sous-direction des visas) in Nantes, France, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo JOHANNESBURG - The insecurity plaguing West Africa is no longer France's concern, its state minister for ties with Francophone countries and international partnerships said on Friday, a week after Paris handed over control of its last major military base in the region. Thani Mohamed-Soilihi was speaking to journalists in a phone briefing in South Africa, where he was attending the Group of 20 top economies' week of discussions on global development. "I'm sorry to say, but it no longer concerns us," Mohamed-Soilihi said, in answer to a Reuters question about the risk of insecurity posed by France's military absence. "That's a shame, because everyone can see the difference between (now and then)," he added. "But we are looking for other ways to maintain ties (that are) not necessarily military." In the past three years, France has gradually dismantled its once-substantial military presence in its African ex-colonies, where for decades it had beaten back jihadist militants, arrested armed criminals, rescued several presidents from armed rebellions - and, in earlier times, backed coups itself. Since 2022, France has pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, after military coups brought in leaders hostile to the French presence. Chad - a linchpin of the West's war against jihadists in the Sahel - abruptly ended its security cooperation pact with its former colonial master in November. More than a decade of insurgencies in the Sahel have displaced millions and engendered economic collapse, with violence pushing further south towards West Africa's coast. The last two months have seen a surge in jihadist attacks, making them one of the deadliest periods of the Sahel's history. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore S'pore could have nuclear energy 'within a few years', if it decides on it: UN nuclear watchdog chief Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Life 'Do you kill children?': Even before independence, S'pore has always loved its over-the-top campaigns Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly "We continue to deal with countries that so wish," Mohamed-Soilihi said. "But ... France won't be able to respond to the security problems of countries with which there is no longer a relationship." REUTERS
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Following Lasalle College fine, English groups protest Bill 96
A small crowd called for Bill 96 to be thrown out at Dorchester Square downtown Thursday. (Matt Grillo/CTV) A small but determined crowd called for Bill 96 to be thrown out in a protest held at Dorchester Square downtown Thursday. They say the law is a nail in the coffin for the English-speaking community. 'Even though some politicians choose to ignore it and erase it, we do have a history here and we have every right to be here,' said Cynthia Costigan, who attended the protest. 'We're not leaving and we're going to fight. We're staying.' They worry that educational institutions are being unfairly targeted. 'We shouldn't be the scapegoats because French is in decline. That's not how to save a language, that's how to destroy a language,' Dale Webber, from the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, said. They point to the $30 million fine Lasalle College is facing for enrolling too many students in its English language programs over the past two academic years. 'There are so many Francophone students in LaSalle College that are going to be harmed too, if the school closes because of this $30 million fine,' Costigan said. Lasalle College is contesting the fine in Quebec Superior Court. In a statement, the office of Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry said proceedings are ongoing. 'Despite support and several warnings, Lasalle is the only subsidized private college to continue defying the Charter of the French Language and failing to comply with it, for the second year running. As the matter is before the courts, we won't comment further,' it said. Steve Theberge came from Quebec City to join Thursday's protest and believes several articles of Bill 96 should be invalidated. 'I think it's more that the people are waking up and the world is becoming more and more bilingual. That's where the issue is,' he said. Even though it was a small crowd, the protesters say they will continue fighting for anglophone rights.
