Paris, France | AFP | Five Sahel countries – Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso — on Monday launched their second anti-Jihadist operation in the troubled region, after talks in Paris with their partner France. After the discussions between the defence ministers of the so-called G5 Sahel and their …
Read More »Macron in Niger says Sahel jihadist fight to continue in 2018
Niamey, Niger | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Niger late Friday for a morale-boosting visit to France’s Barkhane anti-jihadist force and told troops the fight against extremists in the region would continue in 2018. Former colonial power France has been leading regional counterterrorism efforts in West Africa’s Sahel region, …
Read More »Macron in Niger for Christmas dinner with French troops
Niamey, Niger | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Niger late Friday for a morale-boosting trip that will see him have Christmas dinner with some members of France’s 4,000-strong Barkhane anti-jihadist force. Former colonial power France has been leading regional counterterrorism efforts in West Africa’s Sahel region, but is …
Read More »Security Council authorizes UN support for G5 Sahel troops
United Nations, United States | AFP | The Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing UN peacekeepers in Mali to provide logistical and operational support to the new G5 Sahel anti-jihadist force there. The resolution, drafted by France, was the subject of tough negotiations with the United States, which …
Read More »UN official, in Mali, warns over ‘violations’ in anti-terror raids
Bamako, Mali | AFP | A senior UN official, on a visit to Mali, has warned about “violations committed during anti-terrorist operations” after Bamako said French troops killed Malian soldiers during a raid against jihadists. An official from Mali’s defense ministry on Tuesday confirmed that Malian soldiers captured by jihadists …
Read More »French envoys meet Mali govt over raid deaths
Bamako, Mali | AFP | France has sent high-level representatives to talk to the Malian government after a French anti-terror raid killed Malian troops held by the jihadists. Defence Minister Tiena Coulibaly met on October 31 with the French ambassador and the commander of France’s military force in Mali, according to …
Read More »Malian soldiers ‘killed during French raid’
Bamako, Mali | AFP | An anti-terrorist raid by French forces at the end of last month left 11 imprisoned Malian soldiers dead, military sources said Sunday. The incident occurred in the northeastern Kidal region on October 23-24, after the Malian military had received proof that their soldiers, who had been …
Read More »Macron in Mali for diplomatic push on Sahel anti-jihad force
Bamako, Mali | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mali on Sunday to consolidate Western backing for a regional anti-jihadist force, with France urging greater support for the Sahel region amid mounting insecurity. The so-called “G5 Sahel” countries just south of the Sahara — Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, …
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