Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum calls on French and European leaders to "
take more risks and not be haunted by losses
" to ensure the success of their military operations in the Sahel, in an interview with La Croix and L'Obs.
Read alsoWith General Burkhard in Niger, where Barkhane is reorganizing
In this interview given to the French daily and weekly published on Wednesday, Mohamed Bazoum notes the "
death
" of the regional organization G5 Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) following the withdrawal of Mali.
The war in Ukraine shows "
that Westerners have a lot of money, of which they can put a significant part in the fight against terrorism, in the stabilization of our countries
", he believes, urging French President Emmanuel Macron and its European peers to do more in the Sahel.
He specifies that he would like a presence of the French Barkhane force "
more substantial, different rules of engagement and more equipment for our armies
".
“
Westerners in operation take too many precautions, which makes it difficult for their actions to succeed.
They are obsessed with this idea that it takes zero losses to succeed.
They have to make a little more sacrifice, take more risks and not be haunted by the losses
,” insists the Nigerien president.
Since 2013, the French army has lost more than 50 soldiers in the Sahel.
No “symbolic forces”
Mohamed Bazoum also reaffirms his desire for the deployment of French and European forces in his country “
on the border of Mali and Burkina
”.
“
We expect them to be sent there in large numbers, with substantial air capabilities, effective rules of engagement, sacrifices, financial means, with many more helicopters, bombs.
We will be very disappointed if, tomorrow, France and Europe position symbolic forces in our country to combat the spread of terrorism
,” he warns.
He again criticizes the Malian authorities resulting from two putschs, in August 2020 and May 2021.
Read alsoWhat is the G5 Sahel, from which Mali announces its withdrawal, and what is its future?
“
Our border with Mali is now under the control of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS).
Bamako has not taken over the advanced military posts on our border
,” he said.
“
The G5 Sahel is dead.
Since the second coup d'état in Mali (in May 2021, editor's note), Bamako has been in a headlong rush which isolates it in Africa and deprives us of a concerted and coordinated strategy to fight against terrorism
", deplores-t-t -he.
The colonels in power in Bamako announced Sunday evening the withdrawal of Mali G5 Sahel, including its joint anti-jihadist force launched in 2017, to protest against the country's refusal to assume the rotating presidency of this regional organization.