The French army has announced that about 3,000 of its soldiers will remain stationed in the Sahel region, two days after the completion of the withdrawal from Mali, which has accused the French anti-jihadist Barhan forces of committing “aggressive acts” on its territory.

In response to a question from Agence France-Presse, the French chiefs of staff said: “As part of the reorganization of Operation Barkhane outside Mali, about three thousand soldiers will remain in the Sahel region and will carry out their tasks from bases in Niger. and Chad, together with our African partners: a military-combat partnership and a military partnership.” operational and logistical operations.

“The end of the French military presence in Operation Barkhane in Mali does not mean the end of Operation Barkhane. The transformation of Operation Barkhane is much deeper than this withdrawal from Mali,” said Colonel Pierre Goodyear, spokesman for the Chief of Staff.

He stressed that “this issue is within the framework of a new approach to partnership with African countries that have asked for it.”

A spokesman for the French military cited the example of Niger, where the French and Nigerian armies are “jointly patrolling and conducting joint exercises.”

Barkhan’s forces numbered up to 5,500 soldiers at their peak in the Sahel.

The ruling military council in Mali since 2020, which is said to be dealing with the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, although it denies it, on Monday prompted the French army to permanently leave the country after being there for nine and a half years. . part of a mission to fight jihadist groups.

On Monday, the French presidency said “France remains committed to the cause of the Sahel” and “to the Gulf of Guinea and Lake Chad and all partners are committed to stability and the fight against terrorism.”

In addition to Barhane’s forces, Paris also has 900 soldiers stationed in the Ivory Coast, 350 in Senegal and 400 in Gabon, according to the French General Staff.