FRANCE | An African Defeat?

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Күн бұрын

For the best part of a decade, France has attempted to tackle Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel, a semi-arid region of Africa lying in an arc below the Sahara. Centred on Mali, the mission - Operation Barkhane - has now grown to include counter-terrorism operations in Burkina Faso and Niger. However, the French campaign is now in serious difficulties. As well as failing to rein in Islamist groups, Paris is now increasingly at odds with the Malian Government and facing growing public hostility. This has led many to ask whether France is now facing its own Afghanistan. Waging a seemingly unwinnable war, it can't stay - but nor can it leave.
Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!
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Since ending its colonial rule in Africa in 1960, France has maintained close economic, political and military links with many of the countries of Africa. Indeed, it has intervened well over 60 times in the region since then (more likely far more). However, its most significant mission has been in the Sahel, where it has been playing a leading role alongside the armed forces of the other countries of the regions (G5) in taking on various Islamist insurgent groups. However, since taking the lead on the mission in Mali, in 2013, it has faced growing difficulties. With the death toll now believed to be well over 10,000, and almost 4 million now believed to be in dire need of humanitarian assistance, relations with Mali have collapsed following two military coups own the country. Meanwhile, efforts to establish a wider European force, Task Force Takuba, are also running into difficulties. This now calls into question whether the mission has failed, and, if so, what France can now do about the situation.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introductions and Titles
0:22 The War on Terror in the Sahel
1:25 The Sahel Region
2:04 The Sahel: Islam and French Colonisation
3:04 Tackling Islamist Extremism in the Sahel
4:53 Operation Barkhane: Counter-Insurgency in the Sahel
5:55 Task Force Takuba and Mounting Problems
9:25 France in the Sahel: Can’t Stay, Can’t Leave
11:48 France’s Unwinnable War in the Sahel?
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FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES
French Ministry of the Armed Forces [LINK]
Ministère des Armées KZfaq Channel / @armees_gouv
France Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/
MINUSMA minusma.unmissions.org/en
French Military Operations Since 1960 www.assemblee-nationale.fr/14...
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KEYWORDS
#France #Sahel #Mali
#InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations
#Insurgency #Statehood #Independence #Francafrique
#InternationalLaw #InternationalHistory
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Пікірлер: 588

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

This was a video I had wanted to make for a while. However, the situation has taken a dramatic turn for the worse in January 2022. As political differences escalate with the military regime in Mali, the attempt to tackle Islamist insurgency in the region is now facing real problems. But if France seemingly can't win, and can't stay, can it really leave?

@systemicanalysis5249 2 жыл бұрын

James who are these so called moderate rebels in syrias idlib region? Idlib which is supported by turkey "Idlib province is largest Al Qaeda haven since 9/11" - Brett McGurk July 2017 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l86Yis153bXMiKM.html V. P. Joe Biden is sorry for saying allies helped ISIS kzfaq.info/get/bejne/apZ-erFm0rSbfp8.html

@Klopp2543 2 жыл бұрын

France should get out of Mali and Africa in general France is the biggest contributor in destabilising countries it colonized while it loots

@barakmoss1691 2 жыл бұрын

@2:45 I would have to disagree with your wording here. France maintained a neo-colonial presence since the so-called independence of these countries.

@percamihai-marco7157 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to upload Romanian subtitles for your videos (when my free time allows it). How can I send the .srt files to you?

@ryurazu 2 жыл бұрын

It can't leave, but it cost too much so they should just maintain safety of it's own people and troops.

@nicolasduhaut7331 2 жыл бұрын

When I was still in french college last year I had a Malian in my class. 4 Years ago he was super happy with France being in Mali. 2 years ago he said "might be time to go home". Last year he started becoming angry and vocal about France leaving and started praising Russia and China more and more. Kinda odd to see people shift like that in so short time, considering nothing major happened in the last 3 years of Barkhane

@reneroux2391 2 жыл бұрын

For you as an outsider nothing major happened

@williamgordon5708 2 жыл бұрын

Considering how most Americans went from "no chance I'ma fight a war abroad" on December 7th, to "let's fuck them fascists up" a mere day later... 4 years seem comparatively like a pretty long time for events to occur and new ideas to develop......

@chrisnamaste3572 2 жыл бұрын

Let him go study in China. See how the Chinese treat him.

@qjtvaddict 2 жыл бұрын

Chinese investment does things to you man

@qjtvaddict 2 жыл бұрын

@@chrisnamaste3572 many already do

@Lsi581 2 жыл бұрын

Being a Brit from the French foreign legion who’s been there, nice to see this being reported for once!

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Blimey! My wife’s cousin is with the LE. He was out there recently. Quite a posting! His family were worried sick.

@user-re4ek8yl8u 2 жыл бұрын

Зачем ты приходишь воевать на земли мусульман, крестоносец?! Ищешь смерть?

@Todd.B 2 жыл бұрын

Wars use to be black and white; you always had a winner and a loser. In this time and age though, it seems wars are becoming more and more unwinnable. May physical wars become obsolete at some point in the future. Thanks Prof. always enlightening

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. You are absolutely right. The nature of warfare has changed so much, and is still evolving. These types of asymmetric insurgencies have proven to be hugely challenging for even the strongest countries. The question is whether France can pick and leave, and whether the rest of the international community would want it to? It’s unclear how the UN mission would be able to continue without French counter-insurgency support.

@Todd.B 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay "should I stay or should I go now? If I stay there will be trouble, if I go it will be double". The Clash All your questions can only be answered in hindsight, You promote thought, I love that.

@CedarHunt 2 жыл бұрын

More like the terms of war are regressing to older models. Modern warfare is predicated on the idea that there can be an orderly victory state whether that is just based on honor or pragmatism. This is a substantial departure from older models of warfare where victory was acheived with the decimation or outright extermination of the opposing force. Modern insurgencies are being run through the older model of thought and it is clear that modern concepts are insufficient to achieve victory in this way. It wouldn't be particularly difficult for France or any modern force to exterminate insurgencies, they just won't as long as they cleave to modern moral standards.

@AsiaMinor12 2 жыл бұрын

@@Todd.B wars used to be black and white because there used to be no rules back then. When France so selfishly invaded Algeria, it mercilessly wiped out 1/3rd of the entire population and assumed control. There was very little restraint back then, any form of opposition would simply be enslaved or exterminated. If France tries doing that in the Sahel today, it would be sanctioned into complete isolation.

@Todd.B 2 жыл бұрын

@@AsiaMinor12 true, I also believe the same would happen if any country actually used a nuclear weapon, and yet that seems to be the only way to win a these days, which leaves two options, destroy the planet or realize the complete waste of time and resources wars have become

@bebased1785 2 жыл бұрын

If anyone is interested in this war, I recommend watching Battle Orders analyse on “Operation serval”. Really impressive how the French actually dealt with the islamist forces in the early years.

@Canalbizarrof 2 жыл бұрын

Great video professor! Have you ever considered doing a broader historical video on Françafrique? I think the deep French ties to the former colonies is something that's not very broadly talked about on English media, and I'd be interested in seeing your views on the subject

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! That’s a really great suggestion. I’ve wanted to do more on the European colonial empires and their legacies. France is especially fascinating. And you are absolutely right, it isn’t really discussed in a lot of detail outside the Francophone world.

@guppy719 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I would also enjoy such content it was surprising for me to learn how many African Countries used a currency controlled by the French.

@Klliansimabras 2 жыл бұрын

@@guppy719 It's true we're still (on some way) a colonial empire but they're NO colonial bonus from this war. Some people suggest we steal Mali. If we wanted to steal Mali, we will steal them on peace time. We will not be at war like they say we back the terrorist...

@evilkhamzat 2 жыл бұрын

@@Klliansimabras lol typical double speak from the French as usual.

@Klliansimabras 2 жыл бұрын

@@evilkhamzat Show me all mines we have on Mali. I wait.

@AhmetwithaT 2 жыл бұрын

An ambassador who calls their host country's government incompetent and illegitimate is just looking for an excuse to go back home.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. But I think it was the Foreign Minister who said it. I'm not sure if getting your ambassadors expelled is really what FMs are supposed to do! :-)

@micrified 2 жыл бұрын

A "host government" that is basically a military junta that just ousted the elected president? Yeah, I'd call that illegitimate too.

@zdvickery 2 жыл бұрын

There is a lot going on in the Sahel that is under-reported or not reported at all. Thank you for the background! As an American, I'm reminded of the 2017 ambush that killed US special forces soldiers in Niger. I had no idea my country had troops there. Maybe we still do?

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. You are absolutely right. It is strange that it barely received any reporting in the English-language media. There has been so much reporting on the Middle East and Afghanistan, but almost nothing on the Sahel. Few seem to realise that MINUSMA is one of the largest UN peacekeeping forces in the world, and currently the most deadly. And it would indeed be interesting to know what the US commitment to the area still is!?

@iraaus 2 жыл бұрын

You still do, both official and mercerneries.

@golemiqueshill 2 жыл бұрын

Since France is in Mali/Sahel, the Americans have left this file to France. France does 95% of the work on the ground. But the USA is very present. The US provides logistical and intelligence assistance via drones (the eyes of the war). But also through special operations, such as that of Tongo Tongo (Niger). Or the French special forces were deployed in 1h to save and secure the wounded and dead (peace to their souls). Currently, the US is less and less in Africa because it is moving to Asia. Trump had just mentioned in 2019-2020 a withdrawal of US troops from Africa. A great power must keep anchor points, and a presence everywhere, to counter a threat that would take you by setback

@ogone1465 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay political agenda

@abaloasamo3213 2 жыл бұрын

US force et drone are in Niger.

@user-vs2fx3ng5w 2 жыл бұрын

The addition of clips throughout the video was really neat. I hope that you will continue to use media like this and experiment further in future videos. Awesome analysis as always!

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Really nice to hear such positive feedback. Yes, I have been trying to do this more and more. It's not always easy to find footage. The video from the big companies is horrifically expensive. We're talking hundreds of dollars/euros for what could just be a few seconds. But I am getting better at finding open source material.

@darkness595 2 жыл бұрын

Just look up Mali’s resources on Wikipedia to understand why France is sooo concerned about the security of that nation. 💰

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Yes, I should have brought this out more strongly.

@kelvinbenny8579 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay I would like to add that China now utilise economic diplomacy in sahel nations like Niger even with French cooperation in which both of them benefit ( source : The looting Machine : Tom Burgis )

@golemiqueshill 2 жыл бұрын

Since 2013 not a single French company has established itself in Mali. The pseudo theft of gold, does not exist. And this one is done by South Africa

@elpibe3514 2 жыл бұрын

@Golémique Shill yeah who needs to do the whole legal dance when u can just do some under the table moves,we ain’t mentally challenged bro you think France is getting involved due to moral reasons?

@lucianraphael9527 2 жыл бұрын

@@golemiqueshill you don’t need to establish companies in overseas countries as a means to extract and the exploit their resources.

@ShubhamMishrabro 2 жыл бұрын

I read once that sahel geography is one big reason for these conflicts. You see this in syria when water scarcity led to less agriculture output in 2008 or 2009 so many farmers were dissatisfied with their conditions and participated in the Arab spring

@ahmadogidan4171 2 жыл бұрын

The Sahel region is largely a disadvantaged place: a semi-arid region gradually becoming a desert due to rainfall variability, land degradation, and desertification. Climate change isn't helping matters. The Sahel is the poorest and most neglected region in the world.

@dainomite 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating video James! Thanks for raising awareness of this critical conflict that can quickly come to affect more of the global stage.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Again, it's one of those issues that should be getting more international (English-language) attention than it is!

@matejceglar3848 2 жыл бұрын

Thx so much! Tells me more about my future than anyone else. Hats off for the quality of your videos!

@kidus_tv 2 жыл бұрын

Prof, your channel is unbiased and you may be one of the few news sources out there that are actually credible. Thank you!

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it enormously!

@slimjimvortivask7350 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing work as always boss

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much indeed! Have a great weekend.

@kevinelruler 2 жыл бұрын

This video was fantastic. There's a serious lack of quality geopolitics KZfaqrs but you more than make up for that. Cheers.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! That’s incredibly kind of you to say. And really appreciated. :-)

@you-know-who9023 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! This is shining a light and comprehensive background to a largely under reported region adding to my knowledge 🙋👍

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. I am really glad it was helpful!

@mou6854 2 жыл бұрын

As someone from a Senegalese family it seems like anti-France rhetoric is popular right now, especially from what I’ve see on francophone social media. However these Junta leaders are only popular now before the economic sanctions really hit them. The only winner from this are the islamists who started the chaos. While Wagner forces are far too little to replace the task force nations.

@johnfrost1814 2 жыл бұрын

Moreover, those mercenaries are far more aggressive, so I think it will lead to another bloodbath...

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. I'd agree completely. And I suspect that it won't just be the economic sanctions that will cause problems. As you say Wagner aren't going to be up to the job - and will only do it with extreme brutality. I suspect the situations is going to become a lot more unpleasant in every way.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I think that has to be a real worry!

@zinjanthropus322 2 жыл бұрын

How the hell is a nation supposed to learn to stand on their own with France constantly breathing down their neck and try it to do everything on their behalf.

@dracoboomin6511 2 жыл бұрын

@@zinjanthropus322 And sanction them if the nation decides its time to make its own decisions. Thats why i hate these soo called become of democracy, human rights and freedom. Such a joke.

@magdalenaos8215 2 жыл бұрын

Below Al Jazzera videos about this subject (on KZfaq), there are plenty of people cheering for Mali throwing France out. I think most of them are either from other African countries or they are Americans. They seem to be happy that the former colonial power will leave, but don't really think about what will happen next. Many of them are full of optimism. I'm not sure what to think about it. I guess that in the end, the people of Mali will have to work this conflict out by themselves.

@gregs7562 2 жыл бұрын

Americans ? Why blame Americans?

@genzalarboa3110 2 жыл бұрын

@@gregs7562 because US citizens (a small part of them) accuse France of neo-colonialism when we send our military or of abandoning our former colonies if we don't. I specify that it is a small minority, the vast majority of accusations come from pro-Russian troll accounts

@magdalenaos8215 2 жыл бұрын

@@gregs7562 Blame? Why are you talking about blame? I wrote about my observations. People with English names, talking about specific things like slavery and brothers from Africa, well they just have this American vibe :D Some of them sounded similar to bizarre group "black Hebrew Israelites" (American group)... But others were just happy that Africa will be independent and without influence from Europe it will grow strong (and make them proud I guess). Some just wrote that they are supporting Mali from the US.

@neilnelson7603 Жыл бұрын

@@magdalenaos8215 Unfortunately, you're not living in Africa so you don't have the experience Africans have when foreign military power constantly banging your door everyday but yet still get attacked by extremist group. French troops in Mali have very little impact on reducing radical groups. Its best they live since they're preventing other military powers with better experience from helping. France has never helped in anything anyways.

@adelagershon1472 Жыл бұрын

This is very insightful Prof. As a student interested in Western counterterrorism missions in the Sahel, I find it quite strange to see how all COIN narratives on the Sahel are centred on Mali excluding Burkina Faso and Niger. You touched briefly on the French mission Operation Sabre in Burkina Faso. I will be pleased if you can direct me to sources where I can read more on that. Thank you for taking time to put a video like this together.

@marwanshamsia4193 2 жыл бұрын

Just leaving a comment for the search algorithm

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. And hugely appreciated! :-) I hope you found it useful. It’s a tough situation.

@piyaking77 2 жыл бұрын

Really great to see your production quality evolving. Without a doubt my favourite channel on youtube, I live in London too and would love to know if you ever do live lectures?

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank so much! I’ve really tried to work on them. So it’s really nice to hear that you like it. Given everything that’s been happening, I haven’t been giving a lot of public talks over the past couple of years. But maybe things will start to open up. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time beyond my teaching commitments and doing these videos! :-)

@abdulbassitmohammed1915 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting video! I wondered why France insists to remain in Sahel while the locals are resentfully unwilling to cooperate with its armies.

@stephen6806 2 жыл бұрын

maybe the financial interest in the region out-weights the locals interest.

@zefyrisd69 2 жыл бұрын

@@stephen6806 more likely geo political interests rather than financial. Having more countries becoming an extremist islamic nation is certainly not the best news for most western countries, especially since it could spread to other countries around from there. It would also make them look pretty bad from other African nation's PoV if they were to abandon them when they're the most in need. This could lead to other nations around to no longer trust France to be there militarily if they need it, and therefore start to search help in other geopolitical spheres like... Russia or China. in other words, abandonning Mali could lead to the whole Sahel region switching alliance towards countries that are geopolitically not all all aligned with Western Europe.

@mathieuhernandez1381 2 жыл бұрын

(I'm a french-swiss dual citizen with spanish roots. Therefore I might have a biased opinion and my knowledge of Africa might be lacking. But that's how I see it with what I know : ) The french won't get out of Sahel. At least not until other serious armies from developed and stable nations takes their role (hence the attempt to get other european nations / UN troops on board). Many reasons for that : Political reasons which maintains the french government in : There have been, is and will be emigration from former french colonies to France. That means french people with roots in Subsaharian-Africa, people in Subsaharian Africa with family in France. Close cultural relations. If Islamism expands in Sahel, it might spread to France. Unstability in the Middle-East also led to massive immigration waves since 2012. And those have encouraged the rise of the far-right, sowed division in the EU and led to a rise in nationalism and chauvinism in european nations. Until the day europeans get to torpedoe the immigrant boats in the mediterannean without consequences (and I pray for such a day never to happen, for mankind would then really really suck) France will be concerned about what happens in Africa. A new crisis like the syrian one would probably lead the far-right to power, which would heavily displease their government. The very same one who takes the decision to stay in Africa. Also, many African nations are still thought of as partners. It would be diplomatically hard to go away : see how the new malian government, after the coup, was pissed when Macron wanted to reduce it's presence (evocated around 8:15 in the video) ? They already piss off half of the Sahel population by having been there, staying and planning to stay some more. Caving in to this first half would just piss off the other half. (And no, going away won't make the first half like them : they learnt with Algeria that no matter how hard you go, all of the countries problems are still your fault 60 years later.) Therefore it's useless. Finally, shooting at evil religious extremist like Boko-Haram, who takes schoolgirl hostages and ask for ransom to finance their movement is always a treat. Great PR communication and popular within french population. And then the capitalistic, economic reasons : Resource extraction isn't as important as many who complains about french presence says. France import most of it's Uranium from central Asia, and french economy isn't as resource intensive at it used to be, since all of french industry moved to either China or other unexpensive countries. That's just a stupid cliché repeated by the idiots who want to prop up the idea that France is a Pirate nation pillaging around. But it makes no sense in the current globalized economy. What matters is that french companies are very present, hold good market shares, make profits and see Africa as a future expanding market. Orange for example : 1 in 10 African is an Orange customer. African stability means bigger market. If french companies manage to keep their market shares in those countries, they could make massive amounts of money. When people hear about Total interest in the area, they think about their oil extraction, but not only : more money is made on refining and distibution. You can find Auchan, or Carrefour supermarkets there. And so on and so on. Instability means both : - Your companies investmentes might be nationalized, damaged or destroyed. - That the locals have less money to buy the stuff you want to sell them. Instability just make the whole economy worse. Which sucks when you own a part of it. Therefore, France have economic interest there too. And selling everything in a beneficial growing market regurly told in media to be "the next China" sounds like an heavily retarded business idea. Wow, that turned out to be a much longer answer than I expected. Shit.

@danielc9967 2 жыл бұрын

@@zefyrisd69 they have been there since the 1800s I doubt it is just “Geo Politics” . It is quite clear the catalyst of all these conflicts is France. From deposing leaders to massacring the local population in the name of peace keeping . Its a shame really a really sad shame

@zefyrisd69 2 жыл бұрын

@@danielc9967 if that was the case then why are the african nations themselves askingfor French military help ... Even the current mali government, after 2 coups and clearly being at odds with France, still got pissed when the French said they would reduce the number of soldiers in the region. If French were the bad guys you say they are, wouldn't they say instead "less soldiers? Great, send the other back home as well and goodbye" ? They 're not the ones doing massacres in Africa. I'm not going to say it never happened in the last 3 centuries, that would be a lie, but that was mostly local governors/generals and the like running amok/ doing their own things in a world where info about what happen on one continent wasn't especially known in metropolitan France, rather than the will of the French state itself, or at least, of their citizens. Also it's something that happened to all countries that colonized around the world, and many did worse than France as well. Heck when the metropolitan French citizens heard the truth about what was happening in Algeria, they made such a ruckus that not only the current government resigned, but a new constitution was made, and Algeria was given independence. Anyway, nowadays with how fast info moves around, that kind of stuff cannot easily happen any more. But anyway, no, France isn't responsible for what you say. And for a very simple reason : France is ALREADY the most influential power in this part of Africa. They have nothing to gain from instability in such territory, as this only lower their influence in the region. Deposing leaders would deserve them, not help them. Other foreign powers however, have a greater interest in that, as it undermines a rival/potential enemy's influence in North Africa. Also, you're heavily underestimating the importance of geo politics. it's massively important. Way more than money or resources that are usually argued to be the main reason for France's actions. Mali isn't even a place that is especially economically profitable to France in this situation anyway, considering that they spend one billion a year for military operation in the region. If it was about economy, France would have pulled out of Mali long ago.

@brandonwoods3485 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this update

@joemyk 2 жыл бұрын

Good content as usual, thank you Sir.

@merocaine 2 жыл бұрын

How much is America supporting French efforts in Mali? It's hard to imagine success without the US in the picture.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Very good question! Apparently, Biden did offer France more support in the Sahel as part of his attempts to atone for the AUKUS deal with Australia and the UK, which saw Australia cancels its deal from French submarines. But I'm not sure how that has developed.

@merocaine 2 жыл бұрын

Lots of moving parts with France trying to move towards some new understanding with Russia, will the US support France in Africa if they feel an expanded role in Europe undermines there hegemony in European affairs? So many moving parts, I'm not sure anyone has a strategy, they all seem to be groping toward goals that no one wants to acknowledge, apart from the Russians, who know what they want, just not how to get there.

@TheFrenchscot 2 жыл бұрын

As a French, i feel like the government is trying more and more to be independent from the US. You can feel it in the elections. Macron calls for a United States of Europe, while Zemmour calls for French sovereignty and a collaboration with all the 1st world powers, including the US, Russia and China, on an equal foot and in the interests of France.

@beepoboopo546 2 жыл бұрын

I honestly feel like Western militaries are as good a recruiting tool for Islamists as they are at stopping them. It's too easy to play on historical feelings around colonialism, Christian Vs Muslim tropes and to use any acts of brutality as a visual symbol around that. I don't know how radical islamists can be stopped but I think it's much more about cultural change than tanks and bombs in the long term

@beepoboopo546 2 жыл бұрын

@Timur Sayfullah Islamism is no one's culture, it's a 20th century conservative political movement

@beepoboopo546 2 жыл бұрын

@Timur Sayfullah to be clear I was referring to internal cultural change, not western powers enforcing it

@markaxworthy2508 2 жыл бұрын

Imagine if the French hadn't been there. They appear to have conducted an effective holding operation at light cost to themselves. If the alternatives are Islamic fundamentalism or Russian mercenaries, I now who I'd prefer. Thanks France.

@OneAngrehCat 2 жыл бұрын

I think you're entirely missing the point here. Mali, and most of Africa for that matter, isn't a cohesive nation that was built on top of centuries of social progress. It's a mishmash of multiple ethnicities and groups that do not get along at all. The so-called "islamic terrorist" groups of Mali were originally independentist groups that wanted to get rid of the Malian regime since it was held by another ethnic group that wouldn't budge with the current demographics (specifically the two groups that are currently rebelling are the Tuaregs and the Peuls). These independence rebels couldn't get enough traction by themselves, so they associated themselves with international islamist groups for public support and access to better weapons. The problem at the moment could be solved in a few weeks if the Malian govt accepted that it wasn't going to bring them to heel and that it wasn't France's job to do it for them. Unfortunately, they are very arrogant and believe that they will eventually just crush them by pressuring France into doing it. France meanwhile spent 10 years pouring more money and forces into Mali and realises more and more that it is a lost cause because the root cause isn't a few thousand terrorists but thousands of years of historical enmity between ethnicities that never learned to live together and never wanted to. Currently France is ran by corrupt, lying bastards (for a change, innit) so of course they push for elections because it puts the problem out of their hands. If they weren't incompetent and corrupt, they'd simply pressure Mali into negotiating with the rebels and settle the matter for good. But instead it was more practical to just ignore the problem and throw more debt (we're out of money, all we have is debt) and soldiers at the problem. So now, Mali sees that France is both not getting rid of their ethnic problem, which it can't, and asking for elections, which will change nothing since they have coups every other breakfast. And they paid Wagner to do the dirty work instead. I have no doubts that Wagner will provide all the massacres they were paid for, but I highly doubt it will solve the fundamental ethnic crisis. How much damage to Mali and any kind of stability they will bring, that is the real question. I expect Mali to come crying that France must help it within the next 5 or so years.

@FredoRockwell 2 жыл бұрын

What a great topic! Honestly I was aware of the problems in several of these countries, but I hadn't thought of them as regional issues. What particularly intrigues me is the growing presence of Russia, who are also active in the CAR. Is it just mercenaries looking for a paycheck, or is this something more strategic and coordinated? Thanks for another great video!

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much as always Fredo! The Russian presence in fascinating, especially on top of its expansing interests elsewhere across Africa. I guess part might be down to earning some revenues. But I suspect that this is really about building influence. By the the way, I owe you an email!

@stephen6806 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay that is not true! the Russian are in CAR on an invite by the government, to simply put to get France & EU out of their country.

@zefyrisd69 2 жыл бұрын

The Russian presence also brings the question of how "natural" were the coups leading to the present situation.

@TheJarric 2 жыл бұрын

russia has created theyre own blackwater that has close ties to kremlin

@leoseydoux-payet1339 2 жыл бұрын

Grate vidéo I lerned a lot, specialy as a Frechmen my self its good to know the full history and latest news 👍

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. One thing I’d also mention, and which others have raised, is the economic angle. I should have spoken about this. But there are also important mines in the region.

@kelvinbenny8579 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent sir As a student interested in Africa, this helps me a lot

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I’m really glad you found it useful. I’ve got quite a few other videos on Africa if you are interested.

@evilkhamzat 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video Prof Ker-Lindsay. Imo I don’t think France has a choice, I think it’s time as a global actor is coming to an end whether it wants to admit it or not.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. It does look really hard to see how it can continue in the face of such strong opposition. The question is whether it can walk away, not necessarily because it doesn’t want to (although I suspect it doesn’t), but because there are real questions about what happens next. One possible option would be to upgrade MINUSMA. Perhaps it’s time for the UN to rediscover enforcement?

@Klliansimabras 2 жыл бұрын

Global actor ? We're not only in Africa.

@evilkhamzat 2 жыл бұрын

@@Klliansimabras lol I guess all the fuss you made over AUKUS had nothing to do with your presence in the pacific then?

@Klliansimabras 2 жыл бұрын

@@evilkhamzat You don't know but we have French people on the pacific.

@khaldrago911 2 жыл бұрын

Just the latest in a long line of famous French military defeats… er, I mean “victories”

@IllusionistsBane 2 жыл бұрын

Did this war start with Libya? If it did start with Libya, isn't this entire situation France's own fault?

@Tri1o139 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. France took down Gheddafi because he was an important ally of Italy, and was scared of the Italian influence in one of the key countries in North Africa

@IllusionistsBane 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tri1o139 No sympathy for France then. They should've learned from those American interventions.

@Tri1o139 2 жыл бұрын

@@IllusionistsBane yeah, you tell me ,I'm Italian

@boborock2012 2 жыл бұрын

France wasn't fighting insecurity, it was promoting insecurity. France condemns military coups in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso, but supports it in Chad, this says alot

@audas 2 жыл бұрын

Seems to me the westeners are creating a line from east to west just below the Sahara right across the country effectively cutting it in half. This is all about securing their position for future China/Russia conflict.

@kago500 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly

@bull-sama6369 2 жыл бұрын

It good to see some people still see the truth behind all this bull shit called helping

@bull-sama6369 2 жыл бұрын

Helping for more then 20 decades and no results.

@genzalarboa3110 2 жыл бұрын

@@bull-sama6369 did you learn to count at the school of pro russian trolls? France intervened in 2013 (operation serval then barkhane in 2014) in Mali after jihadists took Timbuktu and Gao (and all of the north of the country) and rushed to Bamako to seize them. Without France to push them back, Mali would be as free as Afghanistan. France colonized Mali from 1878 to 1960 (82 years or 20 decades ?) then it became independent for 62 years . You're as good at history as you are at math.

@jw1431 2 жыл бұрын

Great video!!

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

@AbdulHannanAbdulMatheen 2 жыл бұрын

👏😐 Damn. Will there ever be a success story to the problem of forever wars. Will the downfall of democracies be corruption, military junta/autocracy and extremism? I hope whoever are leading the Gov in Mali do the right thing for the people of Mali and its future stability. Keep up the great work enlightening us to the world stage professor 👍

@marwanshamsia4193 2 жыл бұрын

Prof James, can you cover Egypt's current position and what lead to that in its near past, economically, national safety wise and its future prospects

@flyingninja1234 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this well researched video. I had no idea France was in Africa, fighting insurgents. I don’t even recall hearing of this on the news.

@MOCHI-ek6rc 2 жыл бұрын

Because they are mining gold instead

@zandaroos553 2 жыл бұрын

Idk, French operations in Mali have been relatively high profile If you know where to look

@reinhartrausschlaff2877 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video! Can you maybe provide some more geopolitical context i.e. Uranium and Areva in Niger?

@cstgraphpads2091 2 жыл бұрын

There's no such thing as an "unwinnable war" in these kinds of situations. This is simply another example of the pointlessness of limited warfare.

@jemal99 2 жыл бұрын

There's little to no discussion about the economic exploitation of that region by France and the real grievances the natives have about French presence...the truth is, any population would be pushed into extremism if they were occupied by colonialist they're very familiar with. I see the extremists as reactionary force fueled largely by anger and humiliation.

@bull-sama6369 2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree

@yeanurrahman2104 2 жыл бұрын

Rightly pointed out! Professor JKL has maintained a pro-France bias from the beginning to the end. Unfortunately enough, he considers opposition to France's exploitation as insurgency and completely ignores the colonialists' suppressive and ruthless economic, politically and military domination of the region. I home Prof JKL will reconsider his position.

@aahdechoual6587 2 жыл бұрын

And here the creator is quiet???

@kimok4716 2 жыл бұрын

What do you mean there's little to no discusssion about the economic exploitation by France, what are your proof ? The nomads that revolted wanted independence from Mali, it wasn't the first time they revolted and it never had anything to do with France

@shakya00 2 жыл бұрын

"There's little to no discussion about the economic exploitation of that region by France" Yeah and where are the proofs ?!

@mbiledioh1094 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for covering this…. I agree with most of it… the African -French relations needs more publicity

@lion_king8841 2 жыл бұрын

I love your videos James!!

@TheLocalLt 2 жыл бұрын

Haven’t watched this yet, will react to the video itself and leave a comment once I watch However I do want to head off misguided comments about “colonialism” that portray either the origins of this conflict, or the French failure and potential withdrawal, as in some way being the products of French imperialism, something many commenters mentioned on the community post previewing this video. I’d refute this by addressing most of the same points I did yesterday. Yes, many of the West African countries are still in the French sphere of influence, leading to some resentment when France gets involved in internal affairs of these countries, however this mission is totally different and, outside of the recent spat with the Mali junta, is supported by these countries: Absolutely nobody wants the various al-Qaeda and ISIL factions that control much of the northern and eastern Sahel (see Apolitical world map) to come any further towards the actual towns and cities closer to the coast. France is questioning its role, not due to local opposition (again aside from the recent disagreement with the Mali junta, which is more borne out of military failure anyway), but instead due to the fruitlessness of the mission. Plus this is not even an exclusively French endeavour as other European countries have been active in the war, and France has not convinced the EU to debate potential collective sanctions on Mali. As I’d mentioned on the community post, it’s relatively unbelievable to me that some people genuinely seem to believe that any military action, anywhere in the world, is some form of evil or nefarious action.

@mirandapillsbury7885 2 жыл бұрын

Can you stop with that BS narrative? Who cares if people view this as French imperialism. The French dont give that level of care or nuance when they speak of other international issues either. In fact this goes out to the west as a whole. You guys mislabel SO many issues and view them as tribal warfare, religious warfare etc..etc...etc... when most of the time our issues are also simply politically motivated with little flavor of tribalism and religious pretext. No one cares or checks for that so just drop it. My God...

@TheLocalLt 2 жыл бұрын

@@mirandapillsbury7885 I would agree with your second point, but I would also say that there are ethno-religious elements at play in all politics in all countries. And if you want to point to French imperialism in West Africa after the end of direct French control, regardless of your opinions of it (I suspect you aren’t a fan), there are plenty of actual examples to point to, coups and such, but this is not one of them. This operation is more a legacy of the Islamist terror era, as Africa is virtually the only place Islamist groups still hold territorial control.

@pougetguillaume4632 2 жыл бұрын

@@mirandapillsbury7885 "the french" "the west as a whole" "you guys" What i love about these people is how they talk about nuance and then proceed to throw it all in a trash compactor the second after it. Somehow everyone in france and the "west" has the same mindless, drone like opinion. That's what i call dehumanisation my friend, if you think of a mass of people as a single minded, evil, delusional and homogenous mass then it's easier for you to hate them. This line of thought is concerningly common in african countries up to india. Like blaming someone is gonna be enough to fix any problem at all.

@mirandapillsbury7885 2 жыл бұрын

@@pougetguillaume4632 that's the entire point. Taste of your own medicine type of thing.

@123DOWNUNDER890 2 жыл бұрын

Professor, please don’t take this the wrong way but if you have never served in NATO as an officer in Africa, the Middle East or Central Asia please don’t mislead your viewers. I have served in NATO as an officer in those regions and trust me when I say this. The politicians do not want the war to end. War is big money. The longer they are there the more resources they can steal. The U.S did not spend 20 years in Afghanistan doing nothing. They depleted a lot of the country’s resources before they left. Private companies stole a lot of lithium and opium. The same with the oil in Iraq, Syria, and Libya. I assure you the French are making the war long for a reason because of the iron ore and the cobalt west of the region.

@PoweredByLS2 2 жыл бұрын

You know that France confiscates like 85% of these countries bank vaults every year right? I'm assuming that's what these missions were about....

@steppenwolf5956 2 жыл бұрын

The only reason why the French are there is for uranium (Mali) and not to fight terrorism. If the reason had been to fight terrorism, these countries could have been equipped with drones and other equipment. But these countries don't have them so that soldiers could be stationed there to have access to the resources of these countries. It is a game we know very well. It is the same strategy pursued by the US in near middle east. It is not about terrorism it is not about democracy it is about having access to natural resources of these countries and it is about to control the politics of these countries.

@Milothatch17 2 жыл бұрын

Problem is France buys its uranium from Niger and Kazakshtan, not from Mali.

@joshuawine5123 2 жыл бұрын

Equipping countries like these with top-tier technology and weapons isn't sensible due to the threat of losing it to the enemy, whether thru defeats or turncoats or surrenders or chaotic retreats.

@blackdontcrack1962 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing analysis of a brutal conflict

@patriot8942 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent et instructif. Vous avez un public intéressé au Québec ;-)

@jdlc903 2 жыл бұрын

I thought international relations was all about constructivism and abstract theories not actual conflicts

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Not all of it! :-)

@jordanthomas2979 2 жыл бұрын

My favourite KZfaq channel.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much indeed! :-) That's really nice to hear. But sometimes I do wish I was talking about lighter topics! I might have to try to sneak one in from time to time. Have a great weekend!

@abaloasamo3213 2 жыл бұрын

If you can understand french, I recommend "Guerre de l'ombre au Sahara". You will find why lot of people are interested to Sahel.

@Left4Red 2 жыл бұрын

Mali Sovereignty must be respected

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Yes. But is that what the military leaders in Mali *really* want!?

@nz560 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay they dont know what they want. As they cannot afford anything. It s only ego demonstration. Would not be surprised Mali to be next caliphate and those army junkies run away

@ilyaas3m 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay but but professor

@kwekspeps7207 2 жыл бұрын

The fall of Gaddafi is what heightened these problems. France under Sarkozi caused instability in that area.

@asscheeks3212 2 жыл бұрын

The usa committed a terrible sin, killing a scapegoat. Gaddafi is brutal but he get things done. France and Russia dont even have to do anything and if bad thing happen Gaddafi will just take the blame and not care, and then improve the economy while replacing the currency. Its like Spain or Portugal all over again when other European nations criticize Spanish dictators as "too brutal" yet under dictatorship both Spain and Portugal was FAR more stable, now the Spanish and Portuguese MISS dictatorship regardless what American propaganda says

@adithyavasudevan4036 2 жыл бұрын

Professor would you recommend books for lay readers that review conflicts around the world?

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. It really depends what you are looking for specifically. Palgrave and Routledge publish various handbooks, including some on conflict. But they tend to be very expensive and rather academic. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot out there in terms of short, affordable and accessible reviews of conflicts. Maybe I should try to put one together!? :-)

@adithyavasudevan4036 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay Indeed! An annual review priced around 50 pounds would sell like hotcakes, and really help lay audiences like me who struggle to keep up. BTW, on a different subject, please do read 'To kill a democracy' by professor Keane (whom you probably know well) and Roychowdhury, published by OUP. It outlines how the social foundations of democracy in India are coming apart at the seams.

@adithyavasudevan4036 2 жыл бұрын

Here's the link to the tete a tete between the authors and the editor kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gsugnsSgx77Sh2w.html

@user-wr4yl7tx3w 2 жыл бұрын

Why can’t France walk away like US did in Afghanistan? Cost seems to outweigh strategic benefits.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I think that many observers are asking exactly the same question. It isn't entirely clear.

@mohammedtijani3749 2 жыл бұрын

In Africa communities are loyal to their ethnic / tribal kin, you can see this in African elections, usually the divide is based on ethnicity / religion, no ethnicity wants to be ruled by another ethnicity, they are in cohabitation with each other and live in the same country only because of colonial borders with few brotherly feelings between them. As long as the Touaregs don't get independence or a large amount of autonomy (Iraqi Kurdistan) the region will be always victim to destabilisation.

@MsEgyptking 2 жыл бұрын

Amazying analsyis as usual

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much indeed! Really appreciated.

@eddiedaly2551 2 жыл бұрын

There is no "correct solution" here, if the French stay they will be an "enemy" to rally against for the jihadists and how long until local people see the French troops as the problem rather than the solution. As Afghanistan showed you can remove the enemy from the centre of power but you then just disperse them and you will have a counter insurgency on your hands that you can't win. France could be bogged down in military actions for the next 20-30 years here, in politics that will be seen as a "forever war", one you can't win, and the longer you stay the harder it is to leave.

@TheLocalLt 2 жыл бұрын

This is definitely one of your best videos! I knew very little about this aside from the initial issues in the early 2000s, the first two years of the French operation, and the present day. There is so much more to it thank you for laying it out, I don’t think I realized the situation was so dire for the French, nor the Wagner Group’s presence in the French-vacated northern forward bases. The Tuaregs have basically become independent again without a declaration, and the Islamists control a huge territory, but the problems France is having in these countries and their turning to Russia for aid, even while France is still there, is a stark development. There aren’t a lot of good options, all of them are ugly in some way, but as you point out France can’t afford to pull completely out of the region in general or Mali in particular, for so many reasons, not the least of which is preventing any of the Islamist factions from establishing a foothold in any of the Sahel capitals. Perhaps now that France has reduced its spending in the region, at least for the moment, it will allow the issue to cool down domestically, then if the Islamists overwhelm the Wagner group in Mali and threaten Bamako, or threaten other Sahel capitals, they could then sell a new operation as being something completely separate from the very expensive yet fruitless campaign that just ended

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much LocalLt. It is interesting how little attention this conflict has received, especially given the huge UN presence on the ground. One thing I found interesting was the relationship between the UN and the French mission. I hope this came out clearly. The UN is there to secure the ground, but is acting in a traditional peacekeeping capacity. It is not able to fight the insurgents. Effectively France clears the ground and the UN moves in. But, of course, this raises fascinating questions about the UN's impartiality and non-enforcement - two of the three key tenets of peacekeeping. It is clearly partial. An it is pushing the very limits of non-enforcement - in spirit if not in practice. It is a really fascinating case for so many reasons. I had actually been working on this script since early November last year, but the events of the past few weeks pushed me to get it finished. It was surprisingly difficult to pull it all together - and that comes from someone who did a video on Lebanon a few weeks back! :-)

@igorbrille8222 2 жыл бұрын

I was missing any hint on economical interests of France in that zone

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Yes, in retrospect I did need to bring that out.

@genzalarboa3110 2 жыл бұрын

there is no strategic economic interest for France in Mali, that is precisely why France intervened there. We have nothing to defend there and we fix the jihadists before they attack countries much more important for France

@johnnotrealname8168 2 жыл бұрын

Counter-Insurgencies are not primarily military oriented. It is population oriented.

@banto1 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting report. Is there an economic aspect to France's interest in the region? What does Russia hope to gain by getting involved in yet another Islamic country?

@travlmanngyd 2 жыл бұрын

The Yemen war is even more catastrophic for civilians. Saudi and Houthis need to negotiate a peaceful resolution for the sake of Yemeni civilians ASAP.

@lamaahruloma4270 2 жыл бұрын

They can win. But they also need to reach at least one of multiple goals or groups of goals. For example if France will make tight military Union with Russian Federation. China, Spain and USA can help too.

@aalb1873 2 жыл бұрын

They can’t win because there’s nothing to win, it’s all gone. Mali is spoiled sistematically by France from the start of the colonial age. The people of Mali are exhausted and no longer believe in the "aid" concerned by France. It seems to me Africans have understood that as long as they remain tied to the colonial powers they will always remain poor, marginalized and in danger especially. From decolonization onwards, all African wars have been exploited by foreign powers: the role of France in the genocide of Rwanda is an established fact. Nowadays, decade after decade …, it has become much more difficult for France to invent new fancy lies or to support new coups or internal separatist wars through the corruption of some elites to maintain the real levers of power. With France, terrorism in Mali will never end because it is the excuse to keep its soldiers in the region and subsequently rule more or less “indirectly” that country.

@Norwayfoeshoe 2 жыл бұрын

So many times youre saying that the situation deteriorated. But you never quote anything about the actual islamist. We're they doing better? Did they take more land? Did their numbers increase? Other than that, great video!

@bull-sama6369 2 жыл бұрын

Why is locals more willing to have a dialog then the foren forces that came to so called help, I wonder.

@agnivnandi5538 Жыл бұрын

Africa is now an interesting battleground between Paris, Moscow, Washington DC and Beijing

@johnmwelch354 2 жыл бұрын

As yesterday I read that the Mailian government gave France 72 hours to leave the country. Now EU sanctions today, it is crazy to think this is unfolding by the minute.

@popkhorne5372 2 жыл бұрын

They gave the ambassador 72 days to leave the country. Their communiqué stated they were ready to continue collaboration with all their partners including france but that they could not stand the french officials calling them illegitimate or out of control, since they are a government established by a coup. The general pop of both mali and france however want this whole operation to come to an end. Mali because they think france is invasive, france because the citizens think the army should have pulled back immediately after the succesful wins of the Serval operation and not stayed to consolidate defenses. And that if mali wants us gone, then farewell. Time to go home.

@SoundLock 2 жыл бұрын

Hey, can you make a video about the recent things going on between Taiwan and Somaliland where the foreign minister met with Taiwan president. Could you also speak on future consequences of this relationship by china, like if Berbera port will be affected and if Ethiopia imports from China that goes through Berbera port will be blocked. As we have seen china has started blocking Lithuania due to their relationship with Taiwan. And also how it will affect the Somaliland path to recognition, because China has a veto in the un and it could block any attempts for recognition .

@nz560 2 жыл бұрын

It s not a war, there is no offensive. It s keeping position

@chasewhitehouse3754 2 жыл бұрын

Is it wise for the Russian government to be pouring funds into distant conflicts when the Russian economy and international standing is the worst it's been in years? Moscow is struggling to project power past Belarus, allegedly even in Belarus, what makes them think they have the resources to maintain this sort of expensive undertaking? Are the benefits worth the cost, as provoking the French, who've been noticeably quiet over Ukraine, could cause them to lose a moderate voice in Macron? Good stuff as always Professor Ker-Lindsay!

@guppy719 2 жыл бұрын

Well they are Russian Mercenaries so in theory Mali should be footing the bill, If and how much the Russian government is aiding them I do not know.

@asahisagoiboi3517 2 жыл бұрын

Prices of oil is up... Russian economy is doing well and is expanding eastwards away from Europe to Asia. Europe has no natural resources and is a dying out place. I predict Vlodivostok will be the New Russian Capital.

@yonasogbagaber1579 2 жыл бұрын

# Game over

@rhetoric5173 2 жыл бұрын

You should apply to prager U from the tone of your analysis.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Not sure I understand!?

@rhetoric5173 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay really mate? Count how many times you say Islamic in your videos whenever the topic is broached even slightly. You ought to consider a career in Fox News, they pay much better.

@arebeqa 2 жыл бұрын

France, UK and other western countries are like cats acting under the cover of Baba US, when Baba go away without telling them the babies will fail and melt away like a fine snow.

@Leningrad_Underground 2 жыл бұрын

As Libya fell into " Civil War". ? Really ? all on it's own ? No outside promotion . While American and British naval forces fired over 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles, the French Air Force, British Royal Air Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force undertook sorties across Libya and a naval blockade by Coalition forces. French jets launched air strikes against Libyan Army tanks and vehicles. "We Came We Saw He DIED" . and She Laughed Out Loud .

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

This wasn’t a video on Libya! Seriously, as I just said in another comment, I only have 10-15 minutes to tell a complex story. If I go off on tangents then I risk confusing viewers who may not know much about a subject. And if I do wander off, then I find myself being accused on not covering something else. This is not some conspiracy. It’s just that I was trying to tell the story of the Sahel, not the Libyan civil war!

@Leningrad_Underground 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay Sir. Thank you for your attentive and prompt response. I appreciate time limitations and complexity issues and indeed it is. It's that I have many friends from Libya having spent time there from the late 1070s . and even family in business there before 2011 providing engineering personnel based in Tripoli. alas unable to re-establish post destruction. hearing the event described as a "Civil War" is frustrating to say the least. Ps. subscribed and will be looking forward to some more of your postings in the future.

@mouniash 2 жыл бұрын

@@Leningrad_Underground Yes ,that's what caught my attention when I was watching the video as well !!It's actually not just a detail because the Malians argue that by overthrowing (illegally ) Gadhafi ,the French further destabilized the Sahel region . In essence it became hypocritical for the French to claim they're combatting islamism or separatism in the Sahel given that their illegal overthrowing of Gadhafi led to islamism and separatism in Libya and also exacerbated the problem in the Sahel

@Leningrad_Underground 2 жыл бұрын

@@mouniash Indeed so, Hypocrisy upon hypocrisy. Libya was taken out by France and others. There had to be a reason why. Follow the MONEY.

@dracoboomin6511 2 жыл бұрын

@@Leningrad_Underground Ghaddafi proposed a united Africa, with a Central bank and free trade. This would mean France losing control of its former colonies and lose hundreds of billion of dollars aswell as natural resources. Thats why France led the invasion.

@gooner72 2 жыл бұрын

I think it's time for a proper large, African led funded, manned and equipped ISAF style force with a mandate from the UN to deal with this problem, I think France could do with the help.

@nabilalhami1681 2 жыл бұрын

Seems like a relatively unknown conflict. Are the French people aware of conflict though?

@GrosPointRouge 2 жыл бұрын

It is a well known conflict in the Francosphere.

@tiredox3788 2 жыл бұрын

I'm curious on what Russia want with the region.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Great question! It’s hard to say, beyond wishing to build and exert influence and making life as uncomfortable as possible for Western countries.

@walid7885 2 жыл бұрын

I can Shed light to that. Russia wants the Africans to be able to sell their natural resources for a fair price so that they can get out of poverty and make their people less vulnerable to radicalization. Something France and friends can't accept. Imagine, god forbid, the Africans selling their natural resources for a fair price and getting richer and more stable. They will be emboldened and will not accept being looted by foreigners. Which is totally unacceptable by France. France's big corporations in this case will become less competitive (cost of materials will be higher). Those corporations on the other hand are just benefiting themselves and the regular people are getting their cut from there. The Yellow vests protests are proof of that.

@DerDop 2 жыл бұрын

@@walid7885 "I can Shed light yothat. Russia wants the Africans to be able to sell their natural resources for a fair price so that they can get out of poverty and make their people less vulnerable to radicalization." :))))))) mate, There is not a big difference between Russians and Africans when it comes to poverty, believe me. The Russians,well, most of them, should be as rich as Central Europeans, yet they're as poor as some Africans.

@DerDop 2 жыл бұрын

@@walid7885 P.s Do you know how a common Russian calls black people? 1, Obama( if the black person speaks English) and 2, the most common appelative, Monkey. You're either lying or clueless ;)

@DerDop 2 жыл бұрын

Resources and geopolitical relevance?

@shahzaib4011 2 жыл бұрын

"Izlam, Izlamest, Suuni, Jee Had" - The pronunciations always crack me up.

@shahzaib4011 2 жыл бұрын

Great video though!

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I guess!?!? :-) Yes, I know that we pronounce things differently from the way they are said by others. It reminds me of a lovely moment when I was chatting with a Swedish diplomat and she said that I knew her colleague - and then said a name that clearly left me completely confused. She then smiled and said, "But you'd know him as..." and then said his name as we would say it in English. Of course, I knew him. But I'd never heard his name as he would say it in his native language! :-)

@shahzaib4011 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay Thank you for sharing that exchange. I usually tend to alter the pronunciations of words to make them easier to say for folks here in Western Canada, but her way of going about it sounds more fun haha (I might just start doing the same with my colleagues as well). Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing your thoughts in future videos.

@exoietyl0ser_ 2 жыл бұрын

France is literally having a whole afghanstan

@nijadbahnam9859 2 жыл бұрын

I don"t think France can afford to withdraw. The scenario that terrorist groups take control of Uranium mines of the area at missile range of Europe is horrifying.

@darkfeffy 2 жыл бұрын

James, great video as always. Since 1999 there have been more than 18 military coup d'etats in Africa (not even counting the constitutional coups) and, with a few notable exceptions, they have occurred in Francophone Africa. It seems to me that there is a deeper French political philosophy that is not compatible with democracy in Africa. What do you think?

@asirnewazkhan4172 2 жыл бұрын

I think it has to do with the issue of France having a hands off policy in governance but a hands on policy in economics.

@bettyangel7009 2 жыл бұрын

Every instability in Africa is masterminded by the West. Now China is trying to outdo them with their economic colonialism. If the West will take their hands off from Africa, all these little tribes and enclaves will be forced to make peace because it will be in their interest to work together in other to exist together.

@mohammedtijani3749 2 жыл бұрын

@darkfeffy 2 жыл бұрын

@@mohammedtijani3749 You make some interesting points about the consequences of strong ethnic ties. However, one of the bigger points I was highlighting in my comment is that the military and constitutional coups are almost exclusively happening in Francophone Africa. There are also strong ethnic divisions in Anglophone Africa so why don't we see an equal distribution of coups? Is it just a coincidence?

@mohammedtijani3749 2 жыл бұрын

@@darkfeffy yeah that's true Nigeria and Gambia had some of that but not anymore, also economically French Africa does worse than English speaking Africa, I believe the English managed to set up an effective administration there, while France didn't succeed in doing so as much. Mali for example during independence had no real elites matching those of Ghana or Nigeria or Botswana. Economically France inherited the poorest regions of Africa and the most instable ones (Sahel was in turmoil even before European colonisation), Senegal and Gabon were French, with a pretty good economy, the ethnic question is not so urgent and they are pretty secure even more so than Nigeria or Liberia. It seems to me that the combination of ethnic problems and economic crisis helps a lot in setting the right conditions for a military coup d'État, usually under the pretext of fighting rebels / terrorists (their motives are ethno-religious), or the pretext of fighting corruption, so that the army gets popular support and presents itself as the saviour.

@anirudhparthasarathy3387 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! I was expecting a video from you on this topic, thanks. Would comment as a French person here - the objective of the original intervention was to restore Mali's territorial integrity from the Tuareg separatists and we should've ideally left then. Having missed that, now it's difficult to exit - so far it's not been made a major election issue by the candidates with the exception of Mélenchon (unlikely to be a major contender) but considering the rupture of relations, it's likely to be. More than military interests (though prestige is involved), France's economic interests in the region are huge ( operations of total, EDF, etc). If we've learnt anything from US experience, fighting extremism is a losing battle but leaving altogether would mean the crisis spills over to EU (unlike Afghanistan - US, this is geographically close). Keep up the good work. Bon weekend.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Anirudh. This was actually a video that I had been planning to do for a long time and started working on the script back in November. It was just difficult disentangling the various elements of the topic. (Surprisingly so!) Looking back, I perhaps should have made more of the economic aspects of the situation. This is indeed important. Needless to say, I was particularly keen to hear your thoughts on this. Have a good weekend too. Et merci pour le soutien, comme toujours! :-)

@anirudhparthasarathy3387 2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKerLindsay Je vous en prie, professeur ! This event is going to last for a while, I feel and thus, let us see what develops from the situation.

@golemiqueshill 2 жыл бұрын

Très bonne première partie, mais nos intérêts économique sont très faible vis a vis de notre commerce extérieure. Dans les années 2010 l'Afrique représentait moins de 4.5% de notre commerce extérieure. Aujourd'hui celui, est très légèrement en hausse. Soit 5% de notre commerce extérieure et pour les pays de la zone franc (FCFA) soit 16 pays cela représente 0.6% de notre commerce extérieure. C'est insignifiant. Il y a bien une sur présence des entreprises française dans la zone franc, mais depuis environ 20 ans elles se font totalement remplacé par les chinois (pour ne citer qu'eux). Les français (entreprises) ont une excellente connaissance du terrains. Par ailleurs ils ont pris énormément de risque. Nos vrais intérêts économique sont dans les pays côtiers (Cameroun, Cote d'Ivoire, Sénégal, Gabon, Maghreb) Le risque en 2013 c'était que le Mali tombe et deviennent la base arrière des attentats contre la France et nos intérêts dans la région. Les états africains autour du mali (due a une présence française importante) en aurait subit de gravissime conséquence. Certains informations disait que si la colonne de djihadistes avait rejoint bamako et que personne n'était intervenu, au moins 2 ou 3 pays aurait pu totalement tomber dans les mains des djihadistes (des nombreux mouvements de rebelles se serait greffés aux terroristes, ce qui est toujours le cas aujourd'hui) 1.5% des investissement direct à l'étranger français, sont fait en Afrique. "Mais depuis la réélection de Jacques Chirac en 2002, la realpolitik est de retour, et la politique de coopération française en Afrique a pris un tour plus interventionniste. Mais les interventions militaires et le rôle de « gendarme de l’Afrique » semblent faiblement liés à la défense d’intérêts économiques : ainsi, au Tchad, où la France intervient, elle n’a plus d’intérêts pétroliers." La politique économique de la France en Afrique - La fin des rentes coloniales ? Philippe Hugon

@anirudhparthasarathy3387 2 жыл бұрын

@@golemiqueshill Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec ce que vous avez écrit. L'expansion rapide des entreprises chinoises en Afrique est bien connue et je travaille moi-même dans un secteur qui doit faire face à la concurrence féroce des entreprises chinoises financées par leur Etat. Lorsque j'ai parlé d'intérêts économiques, je comprends les chiffres relatifs au commerce extérieur, mais je n'ai pas seulement fait référence à cela, mais aussi à nos investissements, comme vous l'avez souligné à juste titre, qui représentent 1,5 % du total de nos investissements direct à l'étranger. En ce qui concerne votre dernière citation, nous verrons ce qui se passe après l'annonce d'hier car il semble que nous abandonnions la politique interventionniste. On quitte le Mali mais nous restons toujours au Sahel, avec la base principale au Niger. Les objectifs de Barkhane étaient impossibles à atteindre au départ et, comme l'Afghanistan nous l'a appris, nous ne pouvons pas combattre l'extrémisme avec des armes.

@dababy4182 2 жыл бұрын

lol says UK and US who utterly embarrassed themselves in Afghanistan

@idy1172 2 жыл бұрын

also a lot of these african nations need to be split to ensure the ethnicities there like living with each other instead of the competition of ethnicities that we have here.

@daoudaba1628 2 жыл бұрын

They are not competition of Tribes in Great Bittain?Are IGBO?(Biaffran)

@williamdavis9562 2 жыл бұрын

To understand France's role in Africa we also need to take into account the economic exploitation of these nations by France. France has been a force for destabilization in every African nation in which it wields influence. Anytime it's economic order is threatened France causes instability, civil strife and in many cases coups to safeguard their interests. This is a terrible situation especially for a region trying to climb out of instability and poverty. This is literally one of my favorite youtube channels and I watch it religiously. But once in a while it really misses the mark like in this video and the Armenia/Azerbaijan conflict. I don't think he does it on purposes as he mainly uses sources and propaganda talking points from the occupying side.

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks William, I appreciate the constructive criticism - if rather bluntly put. I agree that I should have made more of the economic factors. I had something on this in an earlier script but for some reason it wasn’t there in the final version. Sometimes this happens when juggling a lot of information and trying to edit across different devices in between classes and other responsibilities. We’re all only human! :-) Sorry. But point well taken.

@aalb1873 2 жыл бұрын

With machinations peace never will happen because is not in the interest of manipulators. Unfortunately for Mali manipulators are outside and inside. This is a tragic situation.

@golemiqueshill 2 жыл бұрын

The African continent now accounts for only 5.3% of French foreign trade and the 15 countries of the Franc zone, 0.6%. A reality very far removed from the popular cliché of a French economic guarded hunt in Africa. Since 2013 not a single French company has established itself in Mali

@williamdavis9562 2 жыл бұрын

@@golemiqueshill You're right, there isn't much "trade" going on. It's mostly one side taking from the other. That isn't trade, it's called stealing.

@Milothatch17 2 жыл бұрын

@@williamdavis9562 And yet you fail to mention what natural resources France is supposedly "stealing" from Mali... You can sprout conspiray theories as much as you want but the crux of the intervention in Mali is quite simple. France was asked by the legitimate Malian government to intervene and it dit to prevent Mali from becoming a failed state controled by terrorist groups. But, as we've seen with Irak, Syria, Afghanistan or Lybia, no western country can achieve these goals without cooperation from the local authorities. And with two coups in Mali, there's no one to cooperate with but a military junta.

@nomanor7987 2 жыл бұрын

How strange. Aren’t the extremists within France, in the suburbs of French cities amongst the children of immigrants? Why send troops to faraway Africa? You don’t see the Chinese sending troops overseas to combat Uighur extremists, they just gave re-education camps.

@houstonswisha143 2 жыл бұрын

Lol people aren’t going to make fun of Frances failed war like they do Vietnam 😂

@theamazingempiricist 2 жыл бұрын

Good info but if a European country's soldiers are unwelcome abroad, why should more blood and treasure be spilt?

@AdSd100 Жыл бұрын

Really? No mention of this region being the primary source of uranium that France depends on for energy generation?!

@colmanism7733 2 жыл бұрын

There is a river of gold in shel regions that why they are fighting who will control it ,

@mr_beezlebub3985 2 жыл бұрын

Seems like fighting Islamists is a losing battle, no matter what.

@user-dl5ln3wd6f 2 жыл бұрын

@@BENNY-THE-DOG Poverty is Saudi Arabia is the same as Iraq, yet, ISIS attacks in Iraq are currently rising.

@kayzeaza 2 жыл бұрын

Just lets these countries fall into anarchy. Obviously the people who live in these places don't think fighting a war will help. Europe and US should stop wasting money on these types of conflicts that only serve to line the pockets of the defense industries.

@bananesanane5152 Жыл бұрын

how many coup d'etas did france support and organize in the Sahel region? how many or these rejims were democtratic when france supported these coups?

@nuguskhalifa9365 2 жыл бұрын

France is in the Sahel Zone not to fight Islamist but to secure Uranium Mines for their Nuclear Power (France have the largest power supply from Nuclear power in the World) after 8 years "fighting" the jihadist are stronger than ever France have 1 of the strongest army in the World that doesn't add up

@parodyclip36 2 жыл бұрын

What a naive and stupid take... The US had THE best army of the world in Vietnam yet they still were powerless at the time. The French are losing men and equipement in offensive missions against the jihadists. If they were only there for Uranium they would stay put, they wouldn't go on the offensive against jihadist

@golemiqueshill 2 жыл бұрын

In short, without our intervention for the purchase of uranium, Niger would have collapsed. The same goes for Mali (on this question it is a military problem due to the columns of terrorists). I add, the price of uranium is 20-25€ in Niger we pay it at the price of 68€ (AFP - Les Echos) It is Issoufou the Nigerien president who begged us to stay while the uranium reserves were drying up. Today Areva had to close 2 mines in Arlit (Niger). Niger is 60-70% dependent on the sale of uranium. If we had not bought uranium from them the country would have collapsed. In 2016: 43% of the uranium for our power plants came from Canada, 37% from Kazakhstan and 20% from Niger. In 2018 it is less than 10% of our uranium that comes from Niger. In addition, Niger receives a 12% commission per year from the fact that we exploit their subsoil via their agreement. Source: www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/industrie-lourde/uranium-orano-pourrait-fermer-lune-de-ses-deux-filiales-au-niger-1017972 www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/niger/niger-les-mines-d-uranium-ne-sont-plus-rentables-victimes-de-leffondrement-des-cours-mondiaux_3675011.html No, France is not in Mali to protect Orano's uranium mines www.usinenouvelle.com/article/non-la-france-n-est-pas-au-mali-pour-proteger-l-uranium-d-orano.N908489 Even Sputnik, a media totally controlled by the Kremlin, affirms that we are not in Mali for uranium. Besides, the Russian position towards France in Mali has not escaped you, they are trying to kick us out.fr.sputniknews.com/20200128/interets-economiques-au-sahel-ce-mauvais-proces-que-lon-fait-a-la-france-1042973132.html The African continent represents only 5.3% of French foreign trade and the 15 countries of the franc zone, 0.6%. A reality far removed from the popular cliché of a French economic preserve in Africa (By Loup Viallet, specialist in the economy and geopolitics of the African continent)

@karamohnabay926 2 жыл бұрын

I like your analyses but missed one important reason which is the unnecessary distraction of Libya

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I mentioned it as a cause of the situation. But I’m not sure why it needed more than that?

@farhanhyder6378 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video James. I've a question, is it true that France controls the currency and economic freedom of several French speaking countries in West Africa?

@JamesKerLindsay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Great question. France certainly has a lot of economic interests in the region. On balance, I really should have brought this out in the video.

@Lord-Pierre 2 жыл бұрын

France used to until very recently. France would produce and control the rate of the CFA currency (that most countries from francaphone west Africa had) pegged to the euro, that offered a more stable currency in exchange for certain currency reserves But it as now been replaced by the eco

@GrosPointRouge 2 жыл бұрын

@@Lord-Pierre The franc has not been replaced. Eco was all smoke.

@Milothatch17 2 жыл бұрын

France used to until 2001 since the Franc CFA was indexed on the French Franc. But since 2001, it is indexed on the Euro, controled by the European Central Bank.

@Sofus. 2 жыл бұрын

The same as Afghanistan it is an impossible task, without the cooperation of dedicated regional actors.

@randomlygeneratedname7171 2 жыл бұрын

The second the imam says a woman can lead and marry two men in a mosque his getting hanged. Forget that if he even says your daughters or wives aren’t yours and can taste any man his career is over he will be lucky if his alive. Trying to brainwash religious people is pointless just get out of the war and just trade freely with no sanctions as they have no problem with trading either.

@MPRStig 2 жыл бұрын

Not a word on nuclear fuel or Areva.

@zefyrisd69 2 жыл бұрын

you may want to get some proper info before then ? Most of the nuclear fuel used by France doesn't even come from Africa, but from middle eastern Asian countries. The whole nuclear fuel in Mali being a reason for France being here stuff is total bollocks, and ungrounded anti French propaganda, but hey, they mak such a nice scapegoats right?