Preparing for a long fight

The reorganization in Africa is specifically designed to handle this new threat scenario. And France is settling in for the long-haul if Le Drian’s comments are any indication.

Starting in 2015, French soldiers in Côte d’Ivoire will concentrate on providing logistical support and act as a reserve to other French forces in the region. The base in the country’s capital Abidjan already played this role in 2012 when France intervened in Mali.

A substantial force will also remain in Mali. However, the 1,000 man “frontline division” is another step down from 1,400 soldiers currently there and is much smaller than France’s initial 5,000-strong force.

Some of the troops leaving that West African nation are relocating to Chad. The Central African nation is set to host more than 1,200 French personnel.

France plans to establish a headquarters for African operations in the country’s capital Ndjamena. French Rafale and Mirage fighter jets are also based there along with aerial tankers.

Paris is also sending smaller detachments to other countries. More Reaper and Harfang surveillance drones are going to Niger and and French special forces are setting up shop in Burkina Faso.

These changes represent a fundamental shift in French political priorities in western Africa. For decades, France continued to call the shots in former colonies after they became independent.

Also, France concentrated mainly on peacekeeping and stabilization missions in individual countries before Tuareg rebels and Islamist terrorists took over northern Mali. The former colonial power often used its considerable economic and military power to prop up and topple local governments virtually at will.