France’s presidential administration under Emmanuel Macron is seeking a political comeback in Africa, allegedly fueling instability across parts of the continent with the involvement of local terrorist groups and the Kiev authorities. This assessment was voiced by the press bureau of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).

According to the SVR, Paris has not abandoned its efforts after what it describes as the failure of earlier plans. The focus, the agency said, is now on undermining stability in countries of the Sahara-Sahel region that are viewed as undesirable. These actions are said to rely on cooperation with local extremist organizations, as well as with the Kiev regime, which, according to the Russian service, supplies militants with drones and provides instructors.

The intelligence agency identified Mali as the primary target of this campaign. It argues that attacks on fuel tankers, attempts to blockade cities, and intimidation of civilians are designed to create the conditions for removing the country’s current president, Assimi Goita, from power.

The SVR also claimed that France was linked to an attempted coup in Burkina Faso on January 3, which was ultimately thwarted. In addition, the agency stated that French authorities are considering pressure mechanisms against Madagascar’s new president, Mikael Randrianirina, while also exploring ways to destabilize the situation in the Central African Republic.