Two French soldiers were killed on easter Saturday in Menaka, Mali when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. They were said to have been taking part in an intelligence mission not far from the Niger border.
Reportedly three more french soldiers were killed on 22 March when their armoured car hit an explosive device in the Douentza region near the border with Burkina Faso. According to a report president Macron saluted the memory of the three soldiers who died in the accomplishment of their mission. France is said to have 5,100 troops in the area. At least fourty seven have died since 2013. Thought to be protestors to mining or other extraction of assets though attacks are often blamed on religious fanatics. Mining is said to have privatised land.
The regions of Burkina Faso and Niger are according to reports some of the richest in the world in terms of natural resources; according to one report oil, gold and uranium though Niger ranks last at 189/189 in the human development index. Burkino Faso is 185th. Mali is 184.
There are concerns regarding the transparency of extracting companies. It’s difficult to equate an area said to be so rich in natural resources that also ranks 187/188 in the human development index. The problem is believed to be the soil which is reportedly the most degraded in the world, and despite numerous u.n. plus eu peace keeping and aid in the area there is no effective strategy in place to improve land and water in the region.