The French authorities have attempted to put a brave face on events in Mali since President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta – known as IBK – was forced to resign following a military coup on Tuesday August 18th. Indeed, France's reaction was among the most conciliatory of all the West African country's main partners and allies. It is true that Paris was swift in its condemnation of the coup. But whereas fellow members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) took a tough line, calling for IBK to be both released and restored to the presidency, France adopted a more nuanced stance.
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