In the terrorism-torn Sahel, Mali withdrew from an organization congregating regional countries: Mali, Mauritania, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger. This decision stems from multiple tensions between the country's government, its neighbors and international forces – especially France.
"The G5 Sahel is dead," announced the Nigerien president in an interview with La Croix French daily. For Mohamed Bazoum, this news weighs on the functioning of the G5 Sahel, an organization conducting and coordinating strategy against the jihadists. Niger is already sounding the alarm: ''Our border with Mali is under the control of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Bamako did not invest in the outposts in this area''.
Mohamed Bazoum called on France for help. On Tuesday, French authorities claim they 'regret' that Mali leaves the organization. "Like the European Union, France regrets this decision, which calls into question regional cooperation efforts to fight terrorism and promote development, reflecting the isolation of the transitional Malian authorities," the Quai d'Orsay spokeswoman said an electronic press briefing.
At the UN, the Security Council met on the G5 Sahel on May 18 for a regular meeting on peace and security in Africa. Council members condemned Mali's withdrawal from the regional force. They hope that Bamako will continue the dialogue with its neighbors to fight against the terrorist threat. They demanded a strengthening of the mandate of the Minusma.
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