New European Union financial contribution to the G5 Sahel

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The EU has decided to grant 194 million euros in funding to the G5 Sahel countries to strengthen their security forces. During a videoconference on Tuesday, Brussels also undertook to examine the request for cancellation of the African debt.

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Faced with the spread of terrorism in the Sahel region , the European Union expresses its concern: "  The serious crisis affecting the G5 Sahel and Lake Chad basin states, underlines the members of the European Council , could extend to neighboring countries or even to the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.  "

To fight terrorism, the EU therefore says it is in favor of a new financial contribution: "  We have announced an additional 194 million euros to strengthen the security forces and accelerate the redeployment of states in fragile areas  ", added the head of European diplomacy, the Spaniard Josep Borrell.

In accordance with the decisions taken at the Pau summit last January , The effort will be focused in the region known as the "three borders" between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, prey to frequent jihadist attacks.

But to fight against a double security and health crisis with the coronavirus pandemic, the G5 leaders asked their European partners to go further with an "  outright cancellation of African debt  ". The debate around this question will take place within the European Union, but also with other international actors such as the IMF, replies the European Council, which will meet representatives of the G5 countries by the summer. .

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• European Union
• G5 Sahel
• Sahel

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