France Didn’t Lose the Sahel—Everyone Did

Blaming Paris for Mali’s problems won’t solve them. A collective European response is needed.

A convoy of French army vehicles heads toward Gao, Mali, on Feb. 7, 2013. December 9, 2025, 11:25 AM

The African Union-European Union (EU) summit that took place in Luanda, Angola, last week underscored a simple truth : The Sahel remains one of Europe’s most urgent security priorities. Yet, even as leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the region, there remains little consensus on what should be done in the face of repeated coups and ongoing insurgent gains there. In this context, understanding the true history of the Sahel’s rapid unraveling is crucial to determining how Europe could contribute to its stabilization going forward.

As jihadi figh

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