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Added on the 16/02/2021 15:54:24 - Copyright : France 24 EN
French president Emmanuel Macron welcomes the president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, to the Elysée Palace for a summit of France-G5 Sahel heads of state by videoconference, after the announcement of the forthcoming end of Barkhane. IMAGES
French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Mauritania's capital Nouakchott for the G5 Sahel anti-terror force talks. IMAGES of President Emmanuel Macron's arrival
France will begin closing its military bases in northern Mali in the "second half" of 2021 as part of its commitment to reducing its military presence in the Sahel, French president Emmanuel Macron announces. The departures from Kidal, Tessalit and Timbuktu will be "completed" by early 2022. SOUNDBITE
The transformation of the existing Barkhane operation in the Sahel will involve the closure of French army bases and the prioritisation of the fight against jihadists by special forces, announced the French president. The fight against terrorism will be carried out "with special forces structured around (the operation) Takuba with obviously a strong French component, with several hundred soldiers, and African, European, international forces", which "will be dedicated to interventions strictly to fight terrorism", said Emmanuel Macron during a press conference. SOUNDBITE
Emmanuel Macron arrives in Mauritania for the Sahel summit, welcomed on his descent from the plane by the Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. Along with four other presidents of Sahel countries, they are to take stock of their common struggle against the region's jihadists. IMAGES
Leaders of five nations that have joined forces to fight jihadism in the Sahel meet for a summit in Burkina Faso, a day after a fresh terror attack in the region claimed 14 lives. IMAGES of the opening ceremony