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While Paris was counting on the strengthening of the Takuba counter-terrorism force in the Sahel region to compensate for the drawdown of soldiers from its former Operation Barkhane, Denmark announced on Thursday that it would withdraw its troops from Mali at the request of the ruling junta. Does this mark the beginning of the end for the Takuba Task Force?
The military junta in power in Bamako has dealt a serious blow to this coalition of European special forces (supported at arm’s length by France) by securing the departure of a hundred Danish soldiers.
“The generals in power have sent a clear message that Denmark is not welcome in Mali,” said Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, after a meeting in parliament Thursday confirming the withdrawal of troops.
By demanding the departure of the Danish contingent from its territory, the junta is taking aim at the Takuba Task Force, launched in March 2020 and now established as a partial successor to Barkhane, France’s counter-terrorism operation in the West African Sahel region that President Emmanuel Macron has started to reduce from its initial 5,000-strong force. The force’s objectives include training Malian soldiers, gathering intelligence, and carrying out targeted operations by special forces.
Following Denmark’s troop withdrawal, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian denounced on Thursday the “irresponsible measures” of an “illegitimate” junta in power in Bamako. “[This junta] bears full responsibility for the withdrawal of Danish forces and is further isolating itself from its international partners,” the minister said in Paris.
“The junta is multiplying its provocations,” expressed French Defence Minister Florence Parly on Tuesday while announcing “an in-depth consultation with our partners, particularly those involved in Takuba”.
The forced departure of the…
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Source : france24
