>>46203
I think that was a rhetorical.

Mali isn't just an ex-colony, but it's in Francafrique. They'll never get rid of the French. Goita will be long gone the French still will be there. They don't really withdraw they just left Timbuktu empty to do whatever. Actually I think Timbuktu itself is in the region where some Tuareg militia (earlier rebel until they had a deal with the govt.) controls. Plus the presence of Al Qaeda and ISIS (in part France being responsible for their existance) guarantees that Mali will need the French in the foreseeable future, noone other has the reach to deploy there (except the various African alliances, one of them you were talking about, and the UN, btw Hungarians also get deployed in Mali now, I have to search for the article).
I think France would do something if they had someone to install instead of Goita. But all in all he isn't worse than anyone else, and no other for the job that at least had the appearance that he can hold it. And then elections need to be held, all that democratic facade. It's more comfortable and less costly to give harsh or witty statements in the media by Macron.
I read in Nigeria the Chinese has strong presence, I guess they could project their power into Mali too.