In the Sahel, a new command structure set up

French soldiers in Operation Barkhane in Mali Reuters

Text by: RFI Follow

It will be installed in Niamey (Niger) near the command center of the G5 Sahel joint force center. The objective is to strengthen coordination between the chain of command of the Barkhane force and that of the partner forces intervening in the area of ​​the three borders where the Islamic State prevails in the Grand Sahara.

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This structure will be made up of officers from the local armies but also officers from the Barkhane force . In the eyes of the French general staff, the need was felt for better coordination and this structure will allow, indicates Colonel Frédéric Barbry, spokesman for the army staff, to synchronize actions as closely as possible of the theater of operations.

“ There is no merger in the different chains of command: we are staying on a Barkhane operation, we are staying on the joint force of the G5 Sahel. On the other hand, there is an increased need for coordination. And it is the creation of this cell which will make it possible to increase reactivity, in the event of attacks in particular; which will make it possible to increase the sharing of information which should allow better efficiency on the ground and in particular in the region of the three borders against the Islamic State in the Grand Sahara. "

No major staff to date therefore, but this new structure is nevertheless the first illustration of the objective of the Pau summit: namely the establishment over time of a real coalition in the Sahel. Thus, parallel to Ndjamena this time, the command post of Operation Barkhane integrated in early February three liaison officers, Burkinabè, Malian and Nigerien.

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  • Niger
  • G5 Sahel

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