France signals change of strategic focal point

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the end of "Operation Barkhane" on Wednesday, the French military's decade-long operation in the Sahel region of Africa.

The action began in January 2013 when the northern African branch of al-Qaida occupied large parts of Mali, which prompted the government to ask France for help.

After the colonial era, France continued to maintain a strong influence in Africa with its powerful military force, relatively independent international relations strategy, and relatively "generous" aid to Africa, and used troops in Africa many times. It used to be the most influential foreign country in Africa with its firm military actions in the continent. The fact even earned it the title "African Gendarmerie". However, as early as 2009, France had been shifting its military out of Africa. In the 2010s, France reduced its military presence in Africa and apologized to African countries for its past wrongs in colonial times, encouraging the latter to take firmer action to control illegal immigrants and reduce their financial support from France.

The anti-terrorism military action was against this trend because it cost a lot but has not brought much benefit. France wants to both cut its spending and increase its influence in Africa, but that's a mission impossible.

As the anti-terrorism fight in the Sahel and other regions has been prolonged, localized and complicated, France is increasingly unwilling to be dragged on by this endless military operation that costs people and money, while African countries are beginning to complain more and more about its military presence.

This directly led to the "speeding up" of the French withdrawal. The accelerated withdrawal of French troops, in turn, intensified tensions between France and its African hosts, forming a vicious circle.

In announcing the end to Operation Barkhane, Macron mentioned that future French military operations and assistance in Sahel and even the whole of Africa should be included in the "Outline of the New National Military Strategy" (RNS) and the 2024-2039 military planning rules. In response to criticism Macron, who has just been re-elected, hopes to launch a new outline of the national military strategy to highlight his "doing something" in the military field. Although the RNS and LPM were not directly mentioned in his speech, Macron's speech was actually an outline of a new national military strategy, one that will cost money to put into effect.

Without enough money, it is impossible to finish too many tasks. The anti-terrorism action in Western Africa had to be ended to save costs.