Niger accepts foreign forces from Mali to combat jihadist threat
Send a link to a friend
[February 18, 2022]
DAKAR (Reuters) -Niger has accepted
that French and European special forces will cross into its territory
from neighbouring Mali to combat jihadists and try to secure the border
with the West African state, Niger's president said on Twitter on
Friday.
In his first comments since France said on Thursday that it would leave
Mali along with its military allies, President Mohamed Bazoum said the
forces would be able to respond to threats from jihadist militants
groups in the area.
Some 2,400 French troops that were part of the forces deployed in Mali
to combat groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, and around 900
special forces in the French-led Takuba task force, are expected to
leave Mali in coming months.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have struggled to contain the marauding
armed groups that have killed hundreds, displaced millions and made
swathes of territory in the tri-border West African Sahel area
ungovernable.
"Our goal is for our border with Mali to be secure," Bazoum said, adding
that he expected threats from the militant groups to rise in the area
following the departure of the troops.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Feb/18/images/ads/current/fcs_funeral_lda082613.png)
"This area will be even more infested and the terrorist groups will
strengthen. We know that they are destined to extend their influence,"
Bazoum said.
Bazoum said countries, including those in the coastal areas that
participated in the discussions on Wednesday in Paris, were unanimous in
their decision which would lead to the presence of foreign troops in a
number of countries who request it.
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/021822PIX/news_x81.jpg)
Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum delivers a speech during a joint
press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron following a
video summit with leaders of G5 Sahel countries, at the Elysee
presidential Palace in Paris, France July 9, 2021. Stephane de
Sakutin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Feb/18/images/ads/current/castlemanor_sda_FINANCIAL_2017.png) "In view of recent developments in
Benin, it is clear that these countries have needs. It is
foreseeable that a certain number of these forces will be deployed
in these regions in the face of these new threats, as well as in
Niger," he said.
Benin and other coastal states have seen increased attacks in recent
weeks from militants along the border area with the Sahel countries.
The government of Benin did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
But accepting foreign troops poses a challenge for governments in
the region which have seen increased protests against foreign
military presence.
A French military convoy travelling from Ivory Coast to Mali was
held up for several days late last year in Burkina Faso and Niger,
with French troops firing shots and warplanes dropping flares to
warn off civilians blocking it.
Maïkol Zodi, a leader of a movement that has been leading protests
against foreign troops in Niger, said on Thursday that their
presence was illegal.
"It is unacceptable and intolerable to accept this redeployment on
our territory. If they do, we will treat them as an occupying
force," Zodi said.
(Reporting by Bate Felix;Additional reporting by Moussa Aksar in
Niamey Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Alex Richardson and Nick
Macfie)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |