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WORLD NEWS Diabierna 18 Februari 2022

France and EU to withdraw troops from Mali, remain in region

(AP) — France announced encroached in many areas. in Brussels. “We are not aban-
Thursday that it will no doning Sahel. We are just re-
longer have troops in Mali “What have they given us?” structuring our presence. We
by the summer amid ten- he asked during a press con- will continue supporting the
sions with the country’s ference. “Mali is not alone people in Sahel and Malian
ruling military junta, al- and will not remain alone. people.”
though Paris intends to France and European coun-
maintain a military pres- tries can leave. ... Let’s give Macron criticized the Malian
ence in neighboring West it time and you will see what junta for its decision to hire
African nations. will happen.” the Wagner Group, which
the EU accuses of fomenting
President Emmanuel Ma- An August 2020 coup led by violence and committing hu-
cron accused Mali’s authori- Col. Assimi Goita grabbed man rights abuses in Africa.
ties of neglecting the fight power in Mali. Goita carried
against Islamic extremists out a second coup by dis- “They have now come to
and said it was logical for missing the civilian leaders Mali to act in a very predatory
France to withdraw. in Mali’s transitional govern- manner,” he said. He asserted
ment and putting himself in there are some 800 Wagner
“Victory against terror is not charge last year. mercenaries present in the
possible if it’s not supported country.
by the state itself,” the French European leaders simultane-
leader told a press conference spokesperson, Col. Pascal tacking the Malian army and ously announced Thursday Senior U.S. officials on
with European Union and Ianni, said France ultimately its allies. that troops from a EU-led Thursday said between 800-
African Union officials. aims to reduce its troops in military task force known as 1,000 mercenaries from the
the Sahel to 2,500-3,000. “We got some results in Mali, Takuba also would withdraw Wagner group have moved
Tensions have grown be- but the work has not been from Mali. The Takuba force into Mali in recent weeks
tween Mali, its African neigh- The “complex” withdrawal achieved,” Col. Ianni added. is composed of several hun- and months. They said the
bors and the EU, especially operation will take up to six “It’s not the Malian junta dred special forces troops number is growing and they
after the West African coun- months, Col. Ianni told the who kicks us out. We decided from about a dozen coun- expect it to continue to in-
try’s transitional government Associated Press, warning to leave because ... we cannot tries, including France. crease as the French troops
allowed Russian mercenaries that it will take place “in a de- work in such conditions.” leave. Overall on the conti-
from the Wagner Group to teriorated security context.” Thursday’s announcements nent the officials said there
deploy on its territory. Senior Malian politicians and inter- were made after involved are between 3,000-5,000 of
U.S. officials said Thursday Extremist groups “will likely national experts worry the leaders gathered in Paris the Russian mercenaries.
that up to 1,000 mercenaries try to harass us, to attack us ... French pull-out will result in ahead of a two-day EU-Afri-
from the group have recently So we will need to keep fight- a security vacuum that will ca summit in Brussels. Rep- The officials, who spoke on
moved into Mali. ing” to be able to move away embolden jihadi groups to resentatives from Mali and condition of anonymity to
men and equipment on the increase their power. Burkina Faso were not in- discuss intelligence matters,
France has about 4,300 ground and in the air, he said. vited since both nations were said that so far the Wagner
troops in the Sahel region, But Malian army spokes- suspended from the African Group’s primary mission is
including 2,400 in Mali. The French forces have been ac- man Col. Major Souleymane Union following coups. limited to internal Mali se-
so-called Barkhane force is tive since 2013 in Mali, where Dembélé said that despite curity, but they said they are
also involved in Chad, Niger, they intervened to drive Is- the presence of French and “They will withdraw from watching it carefully and
Burkina Faso and Maurita- lamic extremists from power. European forces in Mali, Mali, but we are not aban- are concerned that they will
nia. But the insurgents regrouped the country continues to be doning Mali,” Josep Borrell, move into counterterror op-
French Armed Forces in the desert and began at- plagued by jihadists who have the EU’s top diplomat, said erations.

Greek farm protests are a sign of Europe’s inflation anxiety

(AP) — In Greece’s rural and its ripple effects, he says, in double digits: Vegetables
heartland, tractors have touch every part of his vine- are up more than 14% from
become a symbol of anxi- yard and peach grove busi- a year ago, olive oil is up by
ety. ness — it costs more for over 15% and certain types
gasoline needed for farm- of meat are more than 17%
For weeks, they have been ing machinery, electricity to higher.
parked along the country’s power irrigation pumps and
highways, their owners weed killer. At a neighborhood grocery
threatening to block traffic. store in Athens’ central Pe-
Farmers are desperate for ad- “At these (prices), we’re tralona district, shoppers
ditional financial aid to cope headed for ruin,” he said. picking up a few items say
with surging energy prices they now take a 20-euro note
that are pushing up their The sting of high energy with them instead of the 10
costs for fuel and fertilizer, prices — which are driving they needed last year.
posing a sudden threat to decades-high inflation num-
their livelihoods. bers — is being felt across “You have to cut some things
Europe and around the (out) to be able to manage
“Take fertilizer: Last year, we world, piling financial stress your monthly shopping at
were paying 500 euros ($570) on governments, businesses Police in Turkey have been tra costs: Egg producers in the grocery store and the
a ton. Now, it’s as if we’re and households. Countries ordered to inspect grocery France recently pelted win- farmers’ market,” said An-
buying a piece of land. It’s are scrambling to address ex- stores to ensure a new sales dows at the headquarters of tonia Kalantzi, a 38-year-old
1,700 to 1,800 euros,” said pensive utility bills and rising tax cut on food is imple- a major supermarket chain to personal trainer. “Things are
Dimitris Kakalis, a 25-year- prices for food as farmers and mented, with President Re- demand higher retail prices quite difficult compared to
old farmer from central supermarkets pass along their cep Tayyip Erdogan promis- as energy costs take a toll. what I remember from two
Greece who has joined the costs to customers, many of ing “severe punishment” for years ago. Prices have gone
protests. whom are facing a cost-of- those who defy the measure. In Greece, inflation is at a 25- up a lot.”
The spike in energy prices living crisis. For some in agriculture, year high and price increases
they’re having to eat the ex- for many basic food items are