Thomas Dietrich discusses geopolitical strategy behind recent Mali attacks
via SeneNews2 min read
Analyst Thomas Dietrich offers a geopolitical interpretation of recent attacks in Mali, suggesting they aim to fracture the military and facilitate a regime change. Dietrich states that the JNIM and FLA understand they cannot control Bamako due to public opposition. Instead, the strategy is to provoke a split within the military, leading to a coup. This would install an officer who would then negotiate with the JNIM and FLA, ceding the northern part of the country to them. Dietrich claims this plan aligns with the desires of many French officials who wish to replace Assimi Goïta with a more favorable president, despite Goïta's current proximity to Turkey rather than Russia, with Turkish paramilitaries reportedly by his side. He adds that French military circles would grant the long-promised independence to Tuareg separatists and the FLA. Furthermore, Dietrich suggests this plan aims to undermine the AES Alliance of Sahel States and retaliate against Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali for their perceived affronts to France. He also indicates that Algeria and the Mauritanian regime, whose president Mohamed Ould el Ghazouani recently visited Emmanuel Macron, might support this plan. Dietrich references his previous revelations about France's more aggressive stance since the December 7 coup attempt in Benin, aiming to reclaim "lost territories" in Africa. He concludes that France is again engaging in risky tactics, similar to the early 2010s with independence rebels, which previously
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