International and regional leaders have agreed to intensify a military campaign against jihadists in the West African Sahel region
The decision follows a one-day summit on Tuesday hosted in Nouakchott, the Mauritanian capital, attended by the presidents of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, as well as France and Spain.
It was called to take stock of a more aggressive strategy in the Sahel, decided in January after a string of setbacks crowned by the loss of 13 French soldiers in a helicopter crash.
Militant attacks in the the region have increased over the last two years, especially in the border regions of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, where local authorities have been overrun.
"The heads of state stressed the need to intensify the fight on all fronts by national and international forces against terrorist groups," the final communique said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said victory over the jihadists was within grasp.
"We are all convinced that victory is possible in the Sahel. We are finding our way there thanks to the efforts that have been made over the past six months," he said after the summit.
Since 2013, thousands of French troops have been helping the countries in the region counter insurgencies.
Latest Stories
-
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
2 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
3 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
3 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
3 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
4 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
4 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
4 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
4 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
5 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
5 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
6 hours -
Ejisu by-election: There’s no evidence of NPP engaging in vote-buying – Ahiagbah
6 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
6 hours -
ZEN Petroleum supports Tse-Addo Future Leaders School
7 hours -
NPP must win back Adentan seat in 2024 polls – Obeng Fosu
7 hours