Sahel: launch of the European force Takouba to support the Malian army

Text by: RFI Follow

If eleven European countries formalized, Friday, March 27 evening, the creation of this force, only six have committed, for the moment, to participate formally.

Publicity

Long remained in the form of a simple letter of intent, the list of participants in the Takouba “task force” is being refined. If eleven European nations, given the very degraded security situation in the Sahel, support the creation of this force, not all of them will participate. For the moment, only Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands and Portugal are, with France, ready to send men.

This Takouba force will be made up of a few hundred soldiers from the special forces. Elements that could come into action this summer in the region of "three borders" in Mali, under French command. But at this stage, neither the figure of each contribution, nor their nature are mentioned.

French expectations

With Takouba, the Europeans " show their capacity to mobilize together for their security ", nevertheless welcomed the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly.

Politically, France expects a lot from this European force. For Paris, this would mean the end of a certain isolation in this war that drags on in the Sahel. It would also be an encouraging signal for the creation of a Europe of Defense that the Head of State, Emmanuel Macron, calls for.

► Read also: Sahel: France strengthens Barkhane force from 4,500 to 5,100 soldiers

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Sahel