Another thing I "really should": update meself on Mali, apparently things are habbening there.
So tensions grow with France. The civil war thingy is going on 8 years now, France unable (or lacks the will) to clench it. After the coup of August 2020 they even withdrew some troops. The interim government of Mali engaged in talks with that Russian private ("private"?) mercenary group, the Wagner, which we knew from Syria. They also received military supplies from Russia. This France did not like, and told Mali they should fight their own fight and don't rely on France. I'm sure this will prevent them seeking help elsewhere... Anyway now Mali also told France they do not approve to the tone Macron used.
Btw. This year in May another coup was done. Colonel Assimi Goita decided he's got enough of the bs of the first civilian interim government and put them aside, and now he installed a second one it seems.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/6/mali-summons-french-ambassador-over-macrons-criticism
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/1/mali-receives-helicopters-weapons-from-russia

I think chief problem is if Western powers aren't willing or able to defend their... "subjects", others who have better track records against ISIS and such will be invited and step in. Then Western govts can throw hissy fits, it will be their fault.
Apparently it's not the first time Russia helps out in Mali. Here's an article from late 2019 (in Portuguese):
https://orbisdefense.com/mercenarios-dowagner-group-presentes-no-mali/