At the beginning of the week, a delegation of defense ministers from France, Portugal, Estonia and Sweden visited Mali and Chad to assess the security situation and discuss efforts. Among other things, it is important that a number of countries, including Sweden, have been invited to participate in a new intervention force named Takuba.

The intervention force will be led by France and will consist of elite associations that will train forces in the fight against terrorists. The focus area is the Sahel region in northwestern Africa. The region consists of Mali, Chad, Niger, Mauritania and Burkina Faso.

Unclear about Swedish participation

However, whether Sweden will actually participate is not clear, says Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist (S).

- There is no such government decision and there is no such parliamentary decision.

Is the question being discussed?

- There is a request from the French side that they have published. This is something that we must prepare and return to.

Importantly curb terror at home

The Sahel region is plagued by unrest and violence. 2012-2013 jihadists took over the northern parts of Mali before France intervened. After that, the UN effort Minusma was formed to support the country's forces.

Sweden has been participating for over five years with an intelligence association of 250 soldiers. The Swedish contingent now moves east from Timbuktu to the city of Gao.

The fact that Sweden participates is also about curbing terrorism in Europe, says the Minister of Defense. This is because some groups that have a foothold in the Sahel, like IS, are also committing attacks in Europe.

How important is it that Sweden puts up with such international efforts?

- It is important to participate in the fight against terrorism. Participation to stabilize unstable parts of the world. This is also about the fact that we do not want terrorist acts in Europe, says Peter Hultqvist.