#France and its allies fighting Islamist militants in #Mali said on Thursday they would begin their military #withdrawal from the country, but French President Emmanuel Macron insisted the pullback did not constitute a failure of its nine-year mission. Relations between Paris and Bamako have deteriorated since the ruling military junta went back on an agreement to organise an election in February and proposed holding power until 2025. Andrew Lebovich, Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, joins FRANCE 24 to put the French withdrawal in greater perspective.


🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen
🔴 LIVE - Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN

🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/

Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen
Follow us on Twitter: https://f24.my/TWen
Discover the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen