Mali: vive la Coloniale?

This article considers the context and consequences of French intervention in Mali, 2013-14, through a prism which seeks to focus on military aspects. Starting from the premise that a successful intervention was not a foregone conclusion, it argues that the outcomes of the conflict did carry elements of success, but additionally raised a wide range of questions about broader implications of the purposes and means of French action. Of note, François Hollande’s placement of the intervention squarely in the context of dangers of international terrorism and the importance of multilateral responses posed particular limits on evaluations of the outcomes of Opération Serval. Not least, in the light of apparently long-standing contradictions in French perspectives towards military engagements in Africa, questions were raised concerning Hollande’s declared intentions to pursue new partnerships with Africa, measured against the swift and sustained recourse to military intervention in Africa which has characterized his presidency to date. Initial assessments of success in Mali might well have indicated positive outcomes: this article suggests that the longer-term implications could be less assured.