Published on : 18/05/2022 – 14:10
« The G5 Sahel is dead “: unambiguous statement by Mohamed Bazoum. In an exclusive interview with the French daily The crossthe President of Niger gives his vision of the new authorities of Mali and the departure of the French military forces from the country.
« The isolation of Bamako in West Africa is a bad thing for the whole sub-region… The G5 Sahel is dead », attaque Mohamed Bazoum which develops: If this country were in a normal situation, we would be able to develop our cooperation in relation with Barkhane. »
For the Head of State, the Malian forces are not fulfilling their mission in the “three borders” area. ” Our border with Mali is under control of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Bamako has not invested the outposts in this area. »
In this long interview with the French newspaper, Mohamed Bazoum also directly challenges French President Emmanuel Macron. “What do you expect from him? asks the journalist: A larger Barkhane presence and more equipment for our armies. »
For the President of Niger, Westerners must change their rules of engagement: ” The Westerners in operation take too many precautions. They need to make a little more sacrifice and not be haunted by losses. »
Mohamed Bazoum finally expresses himself on the anti-French feeling, for him exploited by ” pharmacies mobilized behind this current “. Far from expressing a reality for the Head of State: ” On the ground, people do not have this problem. They only ask for one thing : what the presence of Westerners contributes to the effective fight once morest terrorists. »
