France will withdraw its soldiers from Mali if Islamist extremism takes hold and political uncertainty spreads in the west African country, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
More than 5,000 French troops were deployed to the Sahel to fight terrorist groups, but a second coup in Mali in nine months jeopardised the operation.
Mali's new military leader Assimi Goita led the ousting of interim president Bah Ndaw and prime minister Moctar Ouane last week. Colonel Goita also overthrew Mali's elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last August.
"Radical Islamism in Mali with our soldiers there? Never," Mr Macron told Le Journal du Dimanche. "There is this temptation today in Mali. But if it goes in that direction, I will withdraw."
He also threatened to pull French support from Mali if “there’s no longer democratic legitimacy or transition”.
The Economic Community of West African States stopped short of reimposing sanctions on Mali after an emergency meeting on Sunday, but suspended the country’s membership of the 15-nation bloc.
The group urged Col Goita to set up a new "inclusive government".
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France had supported the Ecowas demand for a presidential election on February 27 this year, and reiterated his government’s "strong condemnation of the coup d'etat”.
About 5,100 French soldiers are stationed in Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Niger as part of its Operation Barkhane against terrorist groups, including those linked to ISIS and Al Qaeda.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
