EU grants additional aid to G5 Sahel, African debt cancellation under debate

The European Union (EU) granted Tuesday, April 28, funding of 194 million euros to the G5 Sahel countries (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) for their security forces. It also undertook, during a videoconference, to examine the request for cancellation of the African debt.

"We have discussed with the leaders of the G5 Sahel countries concrete actions to help them reduce the terrorist threat," announced the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

"We have announced an additional 194 million euros to strengthen the internal security and defense forces and accelerate the redeployment of the state and the delivery of basic services in fragile areas," said the head of the ministry. European diplomacy, the Spaniard Josep Borrell, who participated in this meeting with the leaders of the countries concerned.

We had a video conference today with the Heads of State of @ G5_Sahel_SP. The Covid pandemic cannot make us forget how much the situation is deteriorating on all fronts in a region whose challenges are also our own. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/qWcSyF3JYa

Region prey to jihadist attacks

Efforts are mainly concentrated in the region known as the "three borders" between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, which is prey to frequent jihadist attacks.

"The Covid-19 pandemic cannot help us forget how badly the situation is deteriorating on all fronts, in a region whose challenges are also ours," said Josep Borrell.

The EU and the five members of the G5 Sahel thus formally launched the coalition for the Sahel announced in January at the Pau summit in southwest France.

"We are trying to convince other partners to join the coalition," said Charles Michel, referring to an alliance supposed to help the G5 countries on the military, civil (police and justice) and economic levels, with aid to development.

According to Charles Michel, the EU has already granted 4.5 billion euros to the region over the past six years.

African debt cancellation under debate

G5 leaders have also called for "outright cancellation of African debt" to help them cope with the health and economic costs of fighting the pandemic.

Against # COVID19, we have received the request from African countries for outright debt cancellation.

We will now examine it with the member states and international partners #IMF before meeting again with the leaders of # G5Sahel within three months. pic.twitter.com/9u6RYStfSt

"We have agreed to lead the debate on this request within the EU and with other international partners," said the President of the European Council, who notably cited the International Monetary Fund.

"A new meeting will be organized within three months in the form of a videoconference to take stock."

With AFP

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