French Maj. Gen. Cyril Carcy told Breaking Defense that his intelligence office can "no longer focus on a 60-degree angle between Western Africa and the Middle-East dictated by the fight against terrorism."
On Feb. 17, an almost decade-long French mission in Mali ended, with Russia's Wagner Group stepping into the void. But France remains dedicated to the CT mission in Africa, officials say.
A joint operation in Mali illustrates the effectiveness of cooperation, officials say. Others say the French approach has created more terrorist attacks and violent incidents.