Europe deploys Takuba task force in Mali as France draws down troops

France’s military camps in Mali are going quiet as Paris winds down its security presence in the restive West African country, but there is one notable exception.

What was once a quaint army base in France’s Barkhane anti-jihadist operation is rapidly turning into a cornerstone of Takuba, the European force that is to pick up the slack from France’s partial disengagement.

Takuba, made up of European special forces, is based on an initiative by France, eager to share the burden of looking after Mali’s security with its partners.