Soldiers from Chad, part of African-led military force Nouakchott - Mohamed Shina Mauritanian researcher Sidi Walad Abdel-Malek has expressed to Arab Today that African-French relations have witnessed a notable progress. The progression, Malek tells us, is due French President François Hollande\'s interference in the war in Mali. Malek said: \"The French government used its influence to push a number of its African allies to participate in the Mali war, including Chad, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Niger, Benin and Togo.\" \"France has a large number of investments\" Malek continues, stressing that the security and armed group challenge in the Sahel region \"pushed the French government to pay attention\" to the continent. In regards to US President Barack Obama\'s recent visit to Senegal, the Mauritanian expert stated that it came as \"support\" to the African state in order to help it achieve political stability and democracy. He emphasised that Senegal has a \"critical role\" affecting many regional issues. Malek told Arab Today that Senegal has \"strong relations\" with a number of emerging powers, including India and China, thus pushing French officials to exert efforts in keeping their influence in the region. Malek blamed the political unrest and security tension for the development problems facing the African continent, stressing that the growing number of armed groups is \"one of the main challenges.\" He blamed the regions weakness in protecting borders against this \"growing phenomenon.\"