Terrorism: France To Provide $9m For Sahel Anti-Terrorism Force

France on Sunday pledged support to a new African anti-terrorism force in the Sahel region, announcing a contribution of 9 million dollars (8 million Euros) toward  its creation by the end of the year.

“Our enemies are cowards, but they have determination. They want to destroy us,” President Emmanuel Macron told leaders from Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad – the so-called G5-Sahel countries – in the Malian capital Bamako.

The new regional anti-terror force is set to include as many as 5,000 soldiers, with one battalion from each of the G5 countries.

Macron said France would contribute more than 8 million Euros in military support this year.

He mentioned a contribution of 70 vehicles, without saying whether that was included in the sum.

The president also announced 200 million Euros in French development aid to the Sahel region over the next five years.

The European Union has also pledged 50 million Euros toward  the new force.

France is seeking additional financing from partners including Germany and the U.S.

The new force has been approved by the UN Security Council.

“ It will operate alongside the Barkhane, a 4,000-strong French anti-terrorism force in the region  and the MINUSMA, a UN mission in Mali.

“The common force of the G5-Sahel does not replace the Barkhane or the MINUSMA. It comes to support other forces,’’ Macron said.

The fight against terrorism is expected to focus on the border area between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, where attacks against military barracks have occurred recently.

A French military intervention in January 2013 turned back a jihadist and separatist insurgency in Mali’s north, but various Islamist groups still stage attacks.

The summit was expected  to revive a peace process launched in 2015, which is progressing slower than expected, according to diplomatic sources.

(Source: dpa/NAN)

Report Says President Buhari Will Not Return Soon

President Muhammadu Buhari will not return to Nigeria from his medical leave in the UK anytime soon, according to Reuters Africa.

Presidency sources initially said their principal will return last Saturday, but that was not the case.

The report claims Buhari’s doctors have to carry out a test on him on Monday and the results will determine when he will return to Nigeria.

His wife, Aisha, travelled to the UK on May 30 to see the President, who has been out of the country since May 7 for further medical check-ups.

“My husband is recovering fast. And very soon, he will return to the country to resume his official duties,” she said on arrival.

Officials have refused to disclose details of his health condition.

By Ifreke Iyang

Daddy of Africa: Obj Vows To Ensure No Coup Succeeds in Cote d’Ivoire, Africa at Large

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that he would rally round to ensure no coup against civilian governments in Africa succeeds.

He, therefore, called on the Ivorien army which has​mutinied against the government​ ​to support President Alassane Ouattara in his efforts to develop Cote d’Ivoire.‎

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, had in his reaction on Wednesday, condemned the development in strong terms.​

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In a statement he signed and issued to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, Obasanjo noted that the mutiny over alleged delay in payment of their salaries was unfortunate.

Obasanjo observed that various governments within the West African sub region were making efforts to maintain peace and security in their countries to enhance development and progress.

He said that any act capable of jeopardising peace and security in the sub region should be resisted.

“To this end therefore, nothing must be done to reverse the progress so far made by the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire under President Alassane Ouattara,’’ Obasanjo said.

The former Nigerian president urged the military in Cote d’Ivoire to act within the code of good conduct and military discipline.

“While as a former comrade of those soldiers, I wish that they have their required bonuses and enhanced wages, but as military men, they must act within the code of good conduct and military discipline’’, he added.‎

Obasanjo, however, urged the government of Cote d’Ivoire to attend to the complaints of the agitated soldiers to ensure peace in the country.

By Wale Odunsi