As Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Islamist groups waging insurgencies in Africa were quick to celebrate. "God is great," a media outlet linked to Somalia's al-Shabab wrote in response to the takeover. Elsewhere, the leader of al-Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) used his first public message since 2019 to congratulate the Taliban. "We are winning," Iyad Ag Ghaly said, drawing comparisons between the withdrawal of foreign troops in Afghanistan and France's decision to reduce its military presence in West Africa's Sahel region. And it is not just Africa's Islamist fighters who have been seeing parallels with Afghanistan. From Somalia in the east to Nigeria in the west, newspapers have published articles and citizens have taken to social media to share their concerns. If a wake-up call was needed for African governments heavily reliant on foreign support in their fight against Islamist insurgents, then the Taliban's seizure of Afghanistan is likely to be it. Fear in Mali Since 2012, Mali - one of Africa's biggest countries - has been battling various jihadist groups in its northern and central regions. It has had to rely on French troops and UN peacekeepers to keep the militants from taking control. However, the presence of soldiers from the former colonial power has been unpopular with some Malians, as well as some in France. In June, France announced the drawdown of its forces, reducing their numbers to 2,500-3,000 by early next year. There is concern that Malian troops, who are often poorly trained and ill-equipped, will not be able to contain Islamist groups. "Many people are afraid because the situation is likely to be the same [as Afghanistan]," says Bouraima Guindo, editor-in-chief of Mali's Le Pays newspaper. "The presence of those foreign soldiers is very necessary because if they leave tomorrow, the situation will be more dangerous." Like other publications in Mali, Le Pays has called on the country's leaders to do more to strengthen its armed forces.