Paris seeks support from Algiers on the Sahel

This is what Emmanuel Macron calls the “great Sahelian dossier”. On Friday August 26, at the end of the afternoon, the French Head of State was almost pleased to have arrived late for the traditional presidential address to the members of the French community gathered at the residence of the Embassy of France in Algiers. The reason : “Discussions in an unprecedented setting since 1962”, which he had, a little earlier in the day, with the highest Algerian authorities, the president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and the heads of the army. A first, long hoped for by Paris.

“We found ourselves with our ministers of the armies, chiefs of staff of the armies and grand directors [du renseignement] with a desire to move forward on the existential, strategic and security issues that have hitherto been like a blind spot in our relationship. » Understand the regional situation – above all in the Sahel – and, above all, the eruption of what the French head of state calls the“Russian imperialism” In the region.

“Algeria has a very key role in the Sahel, geographically and politically”, he recalled already leaving the European cemetery of Saint-Eugene, which he had surveyed in the morning, while defending the balance sheet of France from Mali, from where the French army completed its withdrawal this summer. “Our desire is to strengthen the partnership with Algeria, to be able to work together, both politically and diplomatically.he continued, but also to send the right messages and prevent mercenaries from flourishing in the region, in particular the Wagner Group. »

“Demonstrate pedagogy”

This group, false nose of the military interventionism of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is accused by Paris of serving its “economic interests” clean and of “secure the junta” in power in Bamako. Algiers, close to the Malian authorities and historically linked to Russia, ensures, for its part, wanting to favor a political solution and claims neutrality, at least on the front, faithful to its principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of a country. third.

“The current Algerian neutrality is a comfort. But we have to be pedagogical and explain to them that this is not just a problem for Europeans, it concerns the whole regionsays a French diplomatic source. What are the motivations of the Russians? President Emmanuel Macron has been very clear with African countries on the problem of Russian imperialism. I think the Algerians are aware of this. They should be congratulated and encouraged to adopt a less cautious attitude. »

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