After the attack in Niger, Emmanuel Macron wants to strengthen the security of the French in the Sahel

"I have decided to strengthen security measures for our nationals in the region," said Emmanuel Macron, Tuesday August 11, in a tweet posted at the end of a defense council he chaired by videoconference since Fort de Brégançon, in Borme-les-Mimosas (Var). An announcement that follows the death of six young aid workers on Sunday in an attack in Niger.

During this meeting, devoted to the legal, military and diplomatic consequences of the attack, the president did not however give details on the measures that should be put in place, in particular by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I have decided to strengthen security measures for our nationals in the region. We are pursuing action to eradicate terrorist groups with the reinforced support of our partners.

A "manifestly terrorist" attack

"We are doing everything possible to support the families of the victims and respond to the attack which claimed the lives of six of our compatriots and two Nigeriens", assured the Head of State. "Members of the NGO Acted, these six young people testified to a remarkable commitment to the populations".

Introducing the meeting, Emmanuel Macron said that this attack, which has still not been claimed, was "clearly terrorist".

In total, seven people working for the NGO Acted (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) were killed on Sunday with their Nigerien guide by armed men in Kouré, 60 km south-east of Niamey, during a tourist excursion.

"Return of the bodies" and homage

"We are continuing the action to eradicate terrorist groups with the reinforced support of our partners," the French president said in his tweet.

Some 5,100 French soldiers are currently deployed in the Sahel as part of the Barkhane force to fight armed jihadist groups, in support of the armies of the five countries in the region, including Niger.

The defense council examined "the military consequences" and "on all the (French) devices in the region," said the head of state. It also focused on the operations of the "return of the bodies" of the six French people and the tribute that could be paid to them in France.

With AFP

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