By John Ikani
President Mohamed Bazoum says Niger has accepted that French and European Special Forces will be deployed into its territory from Mali to boost security near the border with its neighbouring country.
Bazoum’s comments came a day after France and European allies announced that they would begin withdrawing troops from Mali fighting armed groups operating in the western portion of Africa’s Sahel region.
Some 2,400 French troops that were part of the forces deployed in Mali to combat groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS), and about 900 special forces in the French-led Takuba task force, are expected to leave Mali in coming months.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have struggled to contain armed groups that have killed hundreds, displaced millions and made swathes of territory in the tri-border West African Sahel area ungovernable.
“Our goal is for our border with Mali to be secure,” Bazoum said on Twitter, adding that he expected threats from the armed groups to rise in the area following the departure of the forces.
“This area will be even more infested and the terrorist groups will strengthen. We know that they are destined to extend their influence,” Bazoum said, adding the deployed forces would be able to respond to threats from armed groups in the area.
Bazoum said countries, including those in the coastal areas that participated in discussions on Wednesday in Paris, were unanimous in their decision which would lead to the presence of foreign troops in a number of countries who request it.
Benin and other coastal states have seen increased attacks in recent weeks from militants along the border area with the Sahel countries.
“In view of recent developments in Benin, it is clear that these countries have needs. It is foreseeable that a certain number of these forces will be deployed in these regions in the face of these new threats, as well as in Niger,” he said.
