One of the main differences in France's current approach to intervention, compared to its operations in Africa prior to its Mali intervention, is the growing role of the African military forces working with French forces . The 2013 white paper stipulates a preference for operations in which African-led forces are backed by French specialized forces and technology. French forces in Mali, after wrapping up their initial direct role in combat, have operated in this way with West African troops and a contingent of Chadian forces. French air support and quick reaction forces have, so far, allowed African forces to become the leading element of the stabilization operations in Mali.