TEMPO.CO, Bamako - France has begun a key stage of its military forces withdrawal from Mali, four months after sending troops to push Islamist rebels out the north. A convoy of dozens of lorries left a base outside Mali's capital, Bamako, on its way south to Ivory Coast, Saturday, May 25.
France withdrew some of its 4,000 troops from the country in April.
They plan to gradually hand over to the Malian and a UN peacekeeping force, which will deploy in July ahead of planned nationwide elections.
Saturday's withdrawal comes just two days after Islamist rebels targeted army barracks and French-run uranium mine in its neighboring country, Nigeria, killing 21 people.
French special forces helped Nigerien soldiers end a hostage siege at the barracks on Friday.
French intervention in Mali in January was prompted by Islamist rebels' increasing control of the north and their advance further south towards Bamako.
The militants had taken advantage of weak central government after a coup in March 2012 and the inability of Malian forces to secure territory. Major towns such as Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu fell, and a strict form of Islamic law was imposed.
Within weeks of launching attacks, French and Malian soldiers, backed by fighter jets and helicopters, forced the rebels out of urban areas. However, some fighters retreated to hideouts in the mountains and desert, from where they have launched isolated attacks.
The convoy leaving Bamako for Abidjan is impressive in its size, but the French insist it is simply carrying equipment and vehicles that are surplus to requirements. Tanks and most heavy patrol vehicles will remain in northern Mali for now.
France still has 3,800 troops in its former colony. It says their number will be down to 2,000 by September and 1,000 by the end of the year.
The United Nations' Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma) is to be composed of 11,200 soldiers and 1,440 police officers. The force says it will be deployed to help establish stability and to rebuild the Malian armed forces.
Abdul Manan
