The head of Niger’s armed forces has announced the creation of a joint anti-jihadist force – together with Burkina Faso and Mali.
Moussa Salaou Barmou said in a televised statement that the new force would be “operational as soon as possible to meet security challenges” but did not give details on its size.
Many in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger accuse France of fuelling insurgency in the Sahel, while also diminishing their countries’ sovereignty.
Thousands of Sahelians have been killed in jihadist attacks since 2011 despite intervention by foreign powers, most notably France and the US. The newly-created Alliance of Sahelian States – founded by Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey – has cut ties with former colonial ruler France and pivoted towards Russia for security and economic development.
Do you think being each other’s brother’s keeper will make the trio – and the region – more secure?
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