Mali’s relations with Paris deteriorated after a junta took power in an August 2020 coup, eventually triggering the withdrawal of French troops that was completed on Monday. Russian mercenaries may be filling the void left by France’s departure amid new fears that jihadists in the Sahel might be expanding their reach into coastal West Africa.
<!-- wp:html --><p>Mali's relations with Paris deteriorated after a junta took power in an August 2020 coup, eventually triggering the withdrawal of French troops that was completed on Monday. Russian mercenaries may be filling the void left by France's departure amid new fears that jihadists in the Sahel might be expanding their reach into coastal West Africa.</p><!-- /wp:html -->