The war in Ukraine should not overshadow security in Africa, according to Minister Sébastien Lecornu

He points “a form of myopia in Europe and in France”. On a visit to Côte d’Ivoire and Niger, Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister for the Armed Forces, estimated on Saturday July 16 that the war in Ukraine should not “to forget” security issues in Africa. “VSis a conflict that concerns the whole of the West. However, we must not forget the news of security in Africa”he said.

“The fight against terrorism, what the French forces have accomplished with some in Mali and in the whole area is obviously key and has provided important answers”but the hour is at one “new schedule” that “we will co-build with key friends and allies” from West Africa, underlined Sébastien Lecornu.

France and its partners are going to undertake a “reflection on intelligence, on the interoperability of our armed forces, on the role of French forces when they are pre-positioned in a country, such as Côte d’Ivoire, which is a bit of a model, basically, of what we want to develop tomorrow”he said, promising announcements in the fall or at the end of the year.

Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday his intention to rethink the strategic offer proposed to African countries, in favor of more discreet military support from local armies. French soldiers from the anti-jihadist operation Barkhane are about to withdraw from Mali, pushed out by the ruling military junta.