A thread on #BurkinaFaso and 🇨🇵 and 🇺🇲 security assistance.
1. It is my understanding that 🇨🇵 and 🇺🇲 security assistance was always very limited and in retrospect never scaled to make a significant difference.
2. France's priorities arguably were Mali 1st, Niger 2nd, BF 3rd. Barkhane focused on Mali, though France hoped that by focusing above all on the tri-border area if Mali its actions might benefit all three.
3. Sabre--based in Burkina--was/is small and had a broad regional focus. Meaning, it's mission was never specifically helping Burkina, though Sabre and Barkhane ppl certainly provided training and occasionally intervened.
4. Sometimes Barkhane/Sabre did ops in Burkina, but only occasionally. I have no idea if Burkina ever asked France for a more robust, dedicated intervention. Or if France ever offered.
5. US assistance likewise always was limited. I believe we helped train a CT rapid response force in the capital. And did some training here and there.
6. Was US training useful? Probably, but only adequate relative to USG's very limited interest in the country.
7. Now Burkinabè are grasping for solutions. Many no doubt feel that 🇨🇵 and 🇺🇲 did them no good. That's true yet unfair. Regardless, if some think Russia might offer something better or different, I disagree, but also empathize.
Its mission.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
