Or maybe France have just 6 A400Ms and are still establishing a new type. Lots of work up yet to do. It will eventually be their new workhorse, but early days yet.
The C-130 is well established, fully manned and fully supported. It is also well proven in the North African environment and does the job, making it the obvious choice for those missions.
And their is another aspect that some may wish to take issue with. France does not feel the need to field new types on ops in order to justify their purchase in the same way that UK and U.S. Military leaders do.