French Operation Barkhane in Africa – success or failure?
Journal Title: Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations - Year 2023, Vol 3, Issue 17
Abstract
Operation Barkhane began in August 2014 and was a continuation of Operation Serval, targeting Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) structures. The main objective of the French armed presence was to support the local military forces in the fight against terrorism, coordinate the international coalition and support the humanitarian action for the benefit of the local population. The aim of the article is to systematize knowledge and investigate the activities of French entities, also within the EU missions, obliged to fight against terrorism in the Sahel, carrying out the largest antiterrorism operation in Sub-Saharan Africa. France's strategic objective was to help the Sahel countries achieve military self-reliance so that they could provide security and stability in the region without the assistance of foreign forces. Ultimately, France decided to withdraw its soldiers from Mali and Burkina Faso at the beginning of 2022 and had terminated its mission earlier. It was the end of Barkhane and the French antiterrorism involvement on a high scale level in the Sahel. The decision to withdraw has a number of implications for international involvement in the region and will greatly weaken the level of security in the region. This would be very dangerous for Europe, which is not ready for another wave of migration, as well as the international threat of terrorism. It must be indicated that France have maintained a relatively secure situation in the Sahel region.
Authors and Affiliations
Aleksander Olech
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP740606
- DOI 10.12688/stomiedintrelat.17737.1
- Views 50
- Downloads 0
Dynamics of EU Central and Eastern European donors’ development cooperation
The article deals with both qualitative and quantitative aspects of development assistance provided by the 11 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries that are members of the European Union (EU). The aim is to answer...
The idea of a fragile state: Emergence, conceptualization, and application in international political practice
This paper studies the concept of a ‘fragile state,’ its origins, uniqueness, and the circumstances determining the changing dynamics of the presented subject, as well as the possibility of its application in the practic...
Perception in the USA of the Polish authorities' efforts to strengthen the Polish-American alliance in the 21st century
In the 21st century, the USA has been perceived in Poland as the main external guarantor of security. For this reason, Poland's security policy is clearly pro-American, and the Polish authorities strive for the closest p...
A neoclassical-realist analysis of Japan’s stance on cross-strait relations
Since 1972, Tokyo has maintained official diplomatic relations with Beijing, while stressing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Based on governmental documents and decision-makers’ political...
The gridlock of the Trans-Himalayan railway: China’s strategic calculations about Nepal
Although discussion about connecting Chinese railways to Nepal borders first surfaced in the year 1973, it could not make any headway until the political change of 2006 in Nepal, when the idea of linking Tibet with Kathm...