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Macron calls for greater ‘political clarity’ from Sahel allies
ABIDJAN, Dec 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – President Emmanuel Macron called for
greater “political clarity” from Sahel countries hosting French troops
fighting Islamist militants on Saturday, as he visited the troubled African
region amid criticism of the former colonial power’s role.
Macron arrived in Ivory Coast on Friday to celebrate Christmas with French
soldiers, but a renewed jihadist insurgency that has raised questions about
the effectiveness of French and UN troops dominated the agenda.
“We need the political conditions to accompany the military work we do,”
he told troops from the 4,500-strong French contingent currently serving in
the country.
“I cannot ask our soldiers to take risks to fight against terrorism… and
on the other hand have public opinions of these same countries believing in
untruths.” “France is not there with imperial intentions.”
The leaders of the anti-jihadist G5 Sahel military alliance are due to
attend a summit in France on January 13, when Macron said they would clarify
the “political and strategic framework” of the operation after tensions
emerged.
Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Saturday told French television
the G5 leaders — Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania and Chad will deliver
a message demanding a “respectable and respectful” relationship with the
former colonial power.
In a separate speech to the French community in Ivory Coast Macron said 33
“terrorists” had been “neutralised” in neighbouring Mali, a term a source
close to the presidency said meant they had been killed.
French soldiers also released two Malian gendarmes being held by
jihadists, Macron added.
– Attack helicopters –
The operation involving teams of commandos and attack helicopters in the
flashpoint city of Mopti in central Mali came just weeks after 13 French
soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash as they hunted jihadists in the
country’s north.
Despite a French troop presence and a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force
in Mali, the conflict that erupted in 2012 has engulfed the centre of the
country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
“This considerable success shows the commitment of our forces, the support
that we bring to Mali, to the region and to our own security,” Macron said.
“We have had losses, we also have victories this morning thanks to the
commitment of our soldiers and Operation Barkhane,” he said, referring to the
France’s military operation against Islamist militants in the Sahel.
Last month’s crash was the biggest single-day loss for the French military
in nearly four decades and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of
France’s operation.
The French armed forces ministry in a statement said the Mopti military
operation targeted a camp where jihadists had gathered in a densely wooded
area and fighting continued into the morning.
“Guided by a Reaper drone, a helicopter assault was carried out at night
by dozens of commandos supported by Tiger helicopters,” it said.
French forces captured a stash of heavy weaponry, four vehicles, including
one mounted with an anti-aircraft canon, and motorbikes.
Away from weeks of strikes gripping France, Macron’s personal chef had
travelled with him to cook dinner for around 1,000 troops at the military
base in Port-Bouet, near Abidjan’s airport.
“We will keep up the fight against jihadist terrorists. We will continue
to do so with our African partners and with our European and international
partners,” he said. “Because if we let the threat flourish, it will impact us
too.”
On Sunday, Macron will pay a flying visit for talks with President
Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, where jihadist attacks are frequent.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0910 hr