Original version

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

The Inquiry

Documentaries

Factual

News

Getting beyond the headlines to explore the forces and ideas shaping the world

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

The Inquiry: Why did the French leave Mali?

Why did the French leave Mali?

15/09/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - The Inquiry, Why did the French leave Mali?

Nine years after arriving in Mali to fight Islamist militants, French troops have left.

Nine years after French troops were sent to Mali to fight Islamist militants, President Macron has withdrawn his forces. So what happens now?

Relations between France and Mali have hit a low point, with both countries trading hostile comments in public about what the other is doing. 

Mali’s military rulers accuse France of supplying arms to anti-government militants. Paris denies this and is unhappy about Mali’s working relationship with Russian mercenaries. 

Things are so bad that President Emmanuel Macron announces the withdrawal of French troops. They were sent in 9 years ago to help fight Islamist militants, who still pose a threat across the region. 

On this week’s inquiry, we look at why the French have departed, and what this means for Mali. 

Presenter: Charmaine Cozier
Producer: Louise Clarke-Rowbotham
Researcher: Christopher Blake 
Editor: Tara McDermott
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Broadcast co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson

(Photo: Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Inquiry

Why did the French leave Mali?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

About BBC World Service