Had enough of french neocolonialism and now want true political and economic sovereintity. Due to popular demand, french troops have been ejected from mali, but this colonial power is intent on striking back. Mali had to cancel this years Independence Celebrations after attacks by separatist rebels in the Northern Region of the country. So who is behind the current insurgency in mali . Hello, im mubarak kenya and this is of africa today. In this weeks episode we are focusing on the situation in mali as the country marks 63 years of independence from france. The second segment of our program is on the recent decision by burkina faso to expel the defense atache of the embassy of france from the country. The expulsion came following Intelligence Reports that he was caring out subv activities. Malli resi resist french imperialism. Mallys famous northern timbuktu city that wants sur as Major Intellectual hub of islamic civilization, is once again the focal point for terrorist organizations operating in the sahel region. Due to the worsening security situation, the government of mali cancelled festivities planned for the anniversary of the countrys independence celebrated on september 22. Many people in mari like this activists here believe that france is still meddling in the countrys internal affairs by insiding terrorists and sommes pas contre la france, nous sommes pas les francais, mais oui nous sommes contre la politique francaise au mali, nous sont la politique francaise au sahel, les choses ont change, nous pensons que la france maintient le status quo pour quil reste mettre de lieu, well for more on the situation in mali, we have contacted davidin, is the founder of the west african weekly. Thanks lot for your time sir today. Thank you very much for having me. Now timbuktu, the historic city situated in northern mali is under threat from foreign back terrorist organizations. This comes just after french president Emmanuel Macron said, mali, burkina faso or niger would have disappeared if paris had not intervened militarily in the sahel. Now, are we seeing a common pattern . Here of france creating a pretext for reoccupying mali after its ejection from this country. So yes, you would have to say that that is that certainly look to be the case. Um, as is very well known, of all the colonial powers to have ever operated in africa, france historically has always been the most unwilling to let go, and when when it is forced to let go, it has historically been of the most vengef when it is letting go, so for example the the way it um basically trashed the entire country of guine when the country voted for its independence in 1958, i think thats that is still something that that is in the memory of most people within for africa. Secret intelligence agency, the dgsc is actually one of the most active on the african continent, particularly in north africa and the sahel, the they have lot of resources in that region, so its actually not beyond the realms of possibility. The renewed military. Activity allegedly by the tuarek separatis and terrorists in mali came out of the ejection of french troops from this country. The question that arises here is whether imperialist france is striking back following its auster in mali by encourage separatists pushing for the bacanization of mali. I think that is definitely a real possibility. For those who may not france has actually done worse than that in the past, so in a few seconds ago alluded to what did. Guine before it was forced to leave the country, basically before leaving the country, the french um occupy colonialists made sure that the country was essentially sabotaged from day one, they saw. Farm land, they poison water sources, they burnt down government buildings, Civil Service buildings, they they they destroyed hospitals, roads, you know, the theal administrator firstly made a comment that there must be a single functioning typewriter in the country of guine by the time they leave, thats how vengeful historically the french have been when they are forced to leave a country that they are illegally occupying, so um its its being behind the resurgence of of of terrorist violence in in in mali is actually not the worst thing it has done, so it definitely is within the capability of france, it definitely is something france can do and has done. Armed groups from northern mali claim that they captured some parts of this region. This has increased fears of the collapse of a peace deal between the exrebels and government forces. Meanwhile, United Nations. In mali minusma is gearing up for a significant milestone as it readies itself for its scheduled withdraw from mali on the 31st of december 2023. Recently briefed Un Security Council on the situation in mali, lets listen parties adopted div positions regarding the fate of camps to be uh left by the mission. Here the transitional authorities have signaled to the mission. They themselves intend to retake minusma camps following the missions withdrawal. Now malik cancelled Independence Day celebrations this year after deadly attacks by insargans in the north. The countrys interim president asiita says the anniversary will be celebrated in sobriety following attacks that have left dozens of people dead. Now whats your take on this decision . Well, i think its its a its a relatively sensible to say. I think its a its a pragmatic decision um and i think it signifies that the the regime currently in charge of mali at the very least understands the severity of task lies ahead of it so instead of hiding behind sort of empty triumphalist signaling the regime seems to understand that there is lot of hard work ahead so basically it doesnt really make sense to waste time and energy on you know necessary feer and signaling right now so so the message that in my opinion was exactly right, its a time for sobrity and its a time for looking forward, for looking to ask ahead instead of patting yourself on the back for what those far has been a largely symbolic um series of events, the real revolution if you like is still is still ahead, it still lies ahead, um, the the majority of the hardware still lies ahead, but the good news from an african point of view is that it seems as if regime in mali at the very least seems to realize that. So thats definitely a good thing. Mally Needs International assistance in confronting the security challenges it faces. Its quite clear that previous french intervention in mali did not end terrorism, but actually led to increasing attacks. Russias foreign minister Sergey Lavrov visited mali in february and was warmly welcomed in bamaco as the west african nation seeks military help for its fight against armed groups. Lavrov said defense. Between the two countries are improving. Last year and the start of this year, cooperation in military, military technical areas was given new page in their development. A large consignment of russia Aviation Technology was sent, thanks to which maris army was able to conduct successful operations against the terrorists who remain active on their territory. Well thats a lot they are speaking, now money has turned it in efforts to end insecurity in the country. Now is is a prudent decision, violence is actually worse now than it has ever been, then clearly it means that at the very least um that partnership or whatever it is with france clearly hasnt worked, so its time to try something new, so even if even if its not the case that is actually france that is instigating violence and its not actually france is behind it, at the very least you have to say france, the part the the partnership that france has has been completely useless from somalian point of view, if violence is actually higher is is more serious now than he has ever been, the the death toll now is higher than it has ever been, then of what use is the socalled military partnership with france, so it definitely does make sense that they would look to another option right, and its so happens that the only other option right now is you know the option that lies eastward be that russia or china, so i think thats the pragmatic thing to do, thats what i would do if i was in their shoes, i dont really see that they have any other option. Molly exported 69. 3 tons of gold last year compared to 63. 9 tons in 2021. These statistics are an indicator that the entering government in mali led by asimi goita is moving in the right direction. It appears that france is unhappy with the progress, and therefore intent on messing up this country. I definitely do agree that france definitely is not happy with that, and reason is very simple. Um, if for anyone who knows a thing or true about National Economics or geopolitics, youd know that franciss position as a first country, as as economically um. Advanced and economically developed country is almost entirely dependent on this thing called frank right, the 14 nations as africa which first basically maintains a Colonial Group on the you know the pleava of lobsided agreements that he has with them and the Economic Crime known as the cfa frank for those know the cfa frank is essentially colonial money which 14 african countries including the likes of mali have been forced to use, so if individual member air members of france, africa starting to break out of that toxic colonial relationship and are proving that when you break out of france of freak you will actually do better economically, thats very bad news from a french point of view, because it the other nations within france are going to you know get clued on very quickly that there is life outside france, under malis new constitution pass. Overwhelmingly with 96 of the vote in a june 18 referendum, french is no longer the official language. Now the movie is seen as a clear blow to france. Linguistic students says it is important to use the local language bambara. Qui est vraiment important dans notre societe, car tous les maliens, toute la population malienne a press que parle presque dans ce langue quoi, donc cest tres important dapprendre. Well last question to you, now in your opinion are the political and cultural implications of this decision 63 years after independence. Now whats the the potential, what the the act of dropping french as an official language potentially means is Going Forward theres possibility that mali and any other you france or freak which follows in those steps and draw french as an official language can um explore the. Or potentially adopting possibly english or you know another language which enables it have wider access to the world. I think um this is definitely the a step in the right direction for money and i think the rest of freak should be paying very close attention to the results that mari um will post in the in the in the coming months and years as this effect of sort of um winning itself of that toxic dependency on france basically especially. And the use of the french language, results that this is going to have on the French Economy and on french integration with other on on on the malian economy sorry and on malian integration with with other economies in africa. I think other countries in france should be paying very close attention. Why indeed it appears mark is moving in the right direction by ending his toxic ties with france. Id like to thank our guest there david handein founder of the west african weekly for. Incisive analysis and you now take a short break before our next topic on how france is yet again meddling in burkinafasos internal affairs, stay with us france medaling in burkina faso. Reliance between burkina faso and his former colonizer france have continued to warsen since a popular september 2022 military takeover. In the most recent incident, Burkina Fasos government ordered french mcs defense atache emmanuel to leave the country to subversive behavior. Many people in birkina fasso perceive frances military presence in the country as a failure as it did not. Proof security in the insurgent hit west african country. Regular protests take place in the country where citizens express their sentiments against france. Immediatement nous voulons pas ambassadeur francais au burkina comme lick alard represente comme satan au burkina. Il represente comme tiroman comme terroriste. Nous voulons pas ces en ambassadeur. Dun ambassadeur terroriste, cetait dun terroriste. Nous voulons. Pas ambassadeur il nest pas autorite au burkina alleur to discuss the escalation of tensions between france and burkina faso we contacted abdullatif ahmad hes a senior nigean and journalist, thanks lot for your time sir today, thank you for having me. Now has order the French Defense official to leave the country for engaging in subversive activities. Do we have indicators of exactly what acts of subversion, this French Defense that she was engaging in the burkina faso . The indicators are clear, they are not in public view, most times they are based on Intelligence Reports that have been u upon and been sent to uh the government, dont forget that burkina faso like other french speaking african countries are continually escalating their antifrench sentiments and apart from ordering their french representatives to leave their countries, there is a chance that from what the signals youve gotten, from the conversations theyve had, from the interactions that the ambassador has with people within the country and outside the country, there is a chance that burkina faso feels that the the mr. Imanuel has to leave the country, so there may not not be indicators that are in public view, but i suspect strongly that there are Intelligence Report or signals to the to the government of burkina faso suggest that immanuel paska needs to leave a country. During frances military president into one the poorest countries in the world, amit a growing presence of terrorist groups affiliated to alqaeda and daesh, which killed thousands of people and triggered humanitarian crisis in the country. Government of burkina faso now says it collaborate with new partners to restore security. This might have been informed by the activity of of french uh troops across the region it is expected that considering the heightened. Terror attacks insurgency in the in the sahel, the support from the french troops was meant to subdue the terrorists, reduced their impact and their activities across the region, however what we have seen over time is that there has been rising and worsening security situation in the sahil, so while we may not be sure of friends uh diversionary activity. Is you know within the region, what the argument is that presence of france, or the french troops in you the region has not improved the security situation. Burkina fasso is rich in mineral resources, in fact it is one of the leading producers of gold in africa. French companies have looted these resources for decades and kept the economy of france alive, while the people of Burkina Fasso languish in poverty. Masses in this country came out strongly to express support for the new leader Ibrahim Traore after he housed france back paul henry the Islamic Republic of iran strategic agenda unferled at the 78th session of the United NationsGeneral Assembly in new york emerging Eastern Power houses and the new world order president Ibrahim Raisis policy to promote Regional Security and cooperation. Irans pibotal role in west asia and the world and more all on this edition of iran today. Damiba, francais. Damiba is profrench. He has destroyed Burkina Fasso, but thanks to god, we have a great, strong man like. To save us all. Now next question to mr. Ahmed, now will boquinabes benefit from their countrys wealth and the current government, which is popular due to its antifrance sentiments. The fact that you know the french have been uh, theyve given a shoulder to the french and they are seeking alternative partner uh suggest that there can be better negotiations of you know uh bater. Agreement or trade agreements to ensure that they have better pricing for their products and not the prices that um the the french uh were used to uh before now again just the fact that the french presence in these countries have continue to impovelish the citizen it its not just the french but the quality of leaders engage the french because again as it is said in you in africa. Nobody can cut your hair without your approval, so where are the leaders in these countries when the you know when french uh investors for example uh give them the short hand of of . You know the negotiations. Burkina fasso is among african nations that have recently turned to other foreign powers such as russia and china to combat terrorism on their soil an effort to find a longlasting solution to security challenges. The people have declared support for the countrys collaboration with russia to restore security. Demande le soutien de la russie pour laccompagner dans cette lute acharnee qui nous a ete imposee. On be there is new direction towards the east that is china and russia, it is expected that the russians and chinese troops that are coming in for example will look at alternative ways of dealing with the security problem. What it means is there has been solutions. Or ideas that were being used in the past that has not been as effective as it is expected, those strategies will be reviewed, hopefully those strategies will be looked at and an alternative strategy will be brought about, that is my expectation, beyond that you will have realized that the french, sorry the the russians and the uh the chinese do not interfere in the uh governance process, they do not interfere in the politics of the. Nation as compared to western powers that would want to dictate certain things to you know the country considering the fact that they are the colonial masters of of burkina faso and other francophone countries. Burkina faso, mali and niger recently announced the formation of a military alliance to counter external aggression. Malis foreign minister elaborates here. Tute attente a la souveraine, integrity, one or more of the signaturies will be considered aggression against the others and it will entail a duty of assistance and relief on the part of all signaturies de toutes les parties. Now last question to mr. Ahmed, are we going to see a bigger antifrance alliance in the region . Can it be transformed in a formidable economic and political block . That alliance is welcome, as i said and is expected to forge a common understanding. Uh, why is france today seen as the enemy of the region it is because of frances obstrusive activity in the region it is because of frances you know inordinate political you know interferences within the region if you are coming to offer Security Protection and help stick to that leave the country to run its own so uh yes you the alliances are fine but simply having anti f rethorics does not solve a problem simply complain about problem doesnt fix it, so there has to be independent alternative thinking to how to fix the problem, because uh again, france is only offering help, if france cannot help then, you know, those within should be able to help themselves, well the you have it, alternative thinking is the keyword, former french colonies in africa, such as burkina faso, are charting their own independent path, id like to thank our guest abdullatif ahmad for his insight. Well and that brings us to the end of yet another edition of africa today, its always great having you watch the show, you can watch this on our website pressv. Ir. Thanks lot for watching and goodbye for now. Together, we have shown that when europe is bold and united, it gets things done, a lappel de lhistoire, its time to come down from the ivory tower. 95 Million People in the eu are threatened by poverty, there is a broken Energy Market while the energy and Arms Industries are making record profit, last year is seen that. Italy was better performing as compared to other industrial economies in in europe, this year and this quarter it seems the the opposite. In this weeks episode of iran tech weve come to lurestan province to check out a Pharmaceuticals Company that specializes in making drugs for lifestock, poll tree and various types of fish uh in all sorts of different categories, so liquid solutions, and so on and so forth, so were going to take a look at some of the exclusive that they make here only here in iran and talk about the Science Behind it and get to know the process that goes behind the manufacturing of different types of drugs, stay tuned. Your press tv headlines, ground Security Forces toward assassination plans targeting senior sunny clerics, judges and members of the Islamic Revolution guard core. A new report says israel detained over 135,000 palestinians since alafada started in 2000, including thousands. Of children, and the United Nations experts have harshly criticized systemic racism in the us criminal justice system, describing current prison practices as affront to human dignity