France President Emmanuel Macron reviews military operations in Sahel

December 4, 2019
France has suffered heavy losses in the fight against militants in the Sahel
France has suffered Report Focus News - heavy losses in the fight against militants in the Sahel

President of France Emmanuel Macron has launched a review of his country’s military operation against Islamist militants in Africa’s Sahel region.

Speaking at the Nato summit near London, Mr Macron also demanded more international help with the mission, which France has led for five years.

Thirteen French soldiers died in a helicopter crash in Mali last week.

Mr Macron said he wanted a clear commitment from the G5 Sahel group – an alliance of African nations – that the French mission was welcome and an end to carping by African politicians.

He invited the five leaders – from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – to a summit on 16 December in southern France.