The French Army has left Burkina Faso, officially ending its military operation in the West African country less than a month after leaders asked France to withdraw its contingent of hundreds of troops. Their departure marked a significant step in scaling down France’s military presence in Africa’s Sahel region. Protesters had long denounced a 2018 military accord that allowed French soldiers to fight armed groups in Burkina Faso, saying France’s Army had done little to actually tackle violence that’s engulfed the country in recent years.

Amade Maïga: “We don’t want them on our territory, because when they are here and our people die, they do nothing. If they stay beyond the exit date, authorities should expect us in their base, because we are going to go there.”

The medical humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders has suspended its work in Burkina Faso after armed assailants killed two staff members earlier this month.