Latest news with #Mohamed-Soilihi
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
West Africa's security woes no longer France's concern, says minister
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 (G20) 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.
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
West Africa's Security Woes No Longer France's Concern, Minister Says
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.'
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
France says West Africa's security no longer its concern as Military cooperation ends
France's era of military engagement in West Africa is officially over, along with its direct involvement in the region's security challenges, a Reuters report confirms. France officially ended its military engagement in West Africa amid growing insecurity in the Sahel region. France's withdrawal followed significant anti-French sentiment and military coups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The French government seeks alternative, non-military approaches for maintaining relations in former colonies. Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, France's Minister Delegate for Francophone Affairs and International Partnerships, made this point during a phone briefing with journalists in South Africa while attending G20 development discussions. When asked by Reuters about the implications of France's military exit from the Sahel amid growing insecurity, Mohamed-Soilihi stated, "I'm sorry to say, but it no longer concerns us." He then added, " That's a shame, because everyone can see the difference between now and then." However, he also mentioned that the French government is "looking for other ways to maintain ties that are not necessarily military," suggesting a shift in approach. France ends African military operations His comments come just a week after France officially handed over its last major military base in the Sahel, marking a significant turning point in its decades-long military presence in former colonies. In these territories, France had previously fought jihadist insurgents, intervened in political crises, and in some cases, supported or reversed coups. Between 2022 and 2024, France steadily dismantled its long-standing military footprint in West Africa, withdrawing its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups and rising anti-French sentiment. In November 2024, Chad, one of France's last key partners in the region, ended its security cooperation agreement with Paris. The Sahel area, stretching from Senegal to Sudan, remains one of the most unstable in Africa, with jihadist violence spreading towards Southern Africa and destabilizing some West African nations. Over a decade of insurgency has displaced millions and driven a deepening humanitarian crisis, while recent months have seen some of the deadliest attacks on record. France's latest posture signals a shift toward diplomatic and non-military forms of engagement in Africa, an approach major powers like the US and China have also adopted in their recent relations with African nations. Mohamed-Soilihi emphasized that France will continue to engage with countries that seek cooperation, but without a military role.
The Star
5 days 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
5 days 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
