Sahel defence ministers reveal their plan to defeat jihadists

Defence ministers of the G5 Sahel countries are meeting in Niger’s capital, Niamey, to find out a new approach to the jihadist insurgency in the region.

Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad are facing major challenges with a wave of jihadist attacks and the planned withdrawal of the French-led Barkhane Force from northern Mali.

Niger’s Minister of Defence Alkassoum Indatou said the security situation in the region was unpredictable and volatile.

For the Chadian Defence Minister Gen Daoud Yaya Brahim, the fight against jihadists in the Sahel required “the joint efforts of regional countries and support of allied forces.”

Special envoy of the United Nations in Mali, El Ghassim Wane, highlighted the need for countries to make sure they have adequate storage capacity for arms, ammunition and equipment.

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He also urged G5 countries not to impose taxes on any assistance they are given.