Leaders from five countries in Africa’s Sahel region are meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron to negotiate a French military withdrawal from the region.
The French army established Operation Barkhane to combat jihadist groups in the region, but it has grown increasingly unpopular both in France and the Sahel.
Despite France having over 5000 soldiers stationed in the region, critics say the operation has failed to prevent jihad and has instead perpetuated the violence.