VOICED : Mali border villages

The transcript describes the French military intervention in northern Mali, where French soldiers liberated towns from Islamist control. Local people expressed gratitude and hope for a return to peace and normal life. However, many villages have become ghost towns as people fled, leaving those without means behind. The absence of a sustained military presence raises concerns about the potential return of Islamists, threatening the recent celebrations.

Describe the current state of the villages mentioned in the text.

What fears do local people have regarding the return of the Islamists?