France and a number of its European and African allies have formally formed a new task force called "Takuba" consisting of European special forces that, along with the armies of Mali and Niger, will fight armed groups in the Sahel region of West Africa.
After a conference call, defense ministers and representatives of thirteen countries issued a political statement committing themselves to stepping up efforts to counter what they described as terrorist groups in West Africa.
Countries participating in the process are Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Mali, the Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Joint operation
On the other hand, the French Chief of Staff reported that the Malian and Nigerian armies and the French Barkhan force carried out an operation on an unprecedented March in the border area between Mali and Niger, in which some 5,000 elements participated and led to the neutralization of "a large number of terrorists".
"Between 3 and 23 March this year, the Berkhan force, in conjunction with the Malian and Nigerian armed forces, carried out the Monclar operation in the border triangle," the French Chief of Staff said in a statement.
"This engagement, unprecedented in terms of the number of participating forces, has allowed the achievement of very important results, which were neutralized by a large number of terrorists and the destruction or seizure of a large number of military resources," including about 80 motorcycles, weapons, ammunition, and equipment used in the manufacture of IEDs.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff noted an "unprecedented focus of efforts, which included about 5,000 personnel", including 1,700 French and 1,500 military personnel from the Group of Five Coastal States (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) and 1,500 Nigerian personnel.
The French Staff Command said that these operations, which took place "especially in the Nigerian Liptako region and Mali Gourma", as well as on the border between Mali and Burkina Faso, allowed for an "unprecedented level of coordination between the forces operating in the region." She also spoke about exchanging information and the existence of a "effective" joint command mechanism.