French troops to withdraw from Mali after nine years – BBC News

France and its allies in a European force will withdraw their troops from Mali, President Emmanuel Macron has announced.

The troops have been involved in the fight against Islamist militants in the country since 2013.

Mr Macron said the decision to leave followed a breakdown in diplomatic relations, amid growing hostility from Mali’s governing military junta.
The forces will be re-deployed elsewhere in Africa’s Sahel region.

The planned withdrawal, which is expected to happen over a four- to six-month period, was agreed at a meeting of European and African leaders at the Élysée Palace on Wednesday night.

Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog

#Mali #France #BBCNews