New force, meant to be operational soon, will be deployed in the region along with a 12,000-strong UN mission in Mali.
Five African countries have launched a new multinational force to fight armed groups in the Sahel region. France President Emmanuel Macron told a summit in Mali the force should be fully operational "in a matter of weeks".
The new regional anti-terror force is set to include as many as 5,000 soldiers, with one battalion from each of the so-called G5 Sahel countries: Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.
"Our enemies are cowards, but they have determination. They want to destroy us," Macron said on Sunday, in a regional summit with the G5-Sahel leaders in the Malian capital, Bamako.
France's president said his country would contribute $9m to the new force this year. He also mentioned a contribution of 70 vehicles, without saying whether that was included in the sum.
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France to partner with Africa to end terrorism in Sahel region
Five African countries have launched a new multinational force to fight armed groups in the Sahel region. France President Emmanuel Macron told a summit in Mali the force should be fully operational "in a matter of weeks".
The new regional anti-terror force is set to include as many as 5,000 soldiers, with one battalion from each of the so-called G5 Sahel countries: Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.
"Our enemies are cowards, but they have determination. They want to destroy us," Macron said on Sunday, in a regional summit with the G5-Sahel leaders in the Malian capital, Bamako.
France's president said his country would contribute $9m to the new force this year. He also mentioned a contribution of 70 vehicles, without saying whether that was included in the sum.
READ MORE
France to partner with Africa to end terrorism in Sahel region
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