Burkina Faso has officially marked the end of French military operations in the country with a flag-lowering ceremony at the French special forces' camp. In January, Burkina Faso gave France one month to withdraw its troops as it ended a military accord that allowed French troops to fight insurgents on its territory, citing hopes for the country to defend itself. The French departure marks a new chapter in West African nation's battle with the Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which have taken over large swathes of land and displaced millions of people in the wider Sahel region. Bagassi Koura, managing editor of VOA Bambara, explains the significance of the withdrawal to Africa 54 host Esther Githui-Ewart.