Niger: the convoy of the Barkhane mission finally arrived in Gao after numerous clashes

Published on : 11/29/2021 – 6:37 PM

A French military convoy on its way to Mali from Côte d’Ivoire ten days ago finally arrived in Gao overnight from Sunday to Monday. His career was punctuated by clashes and demonstrations which in particular left three dead in Niger.

These incidents, the first of this kind, once again shed light on the question of the presence of the French force in the Sahel, according to France 24 reporter Cyril Payen. “It is an event which is taken seriously at the highest summit of the French General Staff and undoubtedly beyond”, explains our journalist. “We are in a somewhat complicated period of resizing Operation Barkhane”.

The French military presence in the Sahel, deployed as part of Operation Barkhane to fight against jihadist groups, is increasingly criticized in its former colonies such as in Niger, Burkina Faso and other African countries in the region. ‘Where is. “Without this terrestrial umbilical cord, it will be complicated to continue this operation in the current terms”, specifies the reporter from France 24. “This can set a precedent”.

“This is a catastrophic scenario for this rapidly changing operation,” summarizes Cyril Payen.

Three dead

This convoy was targeted on Saturday when it entered Niger soil after being blocked for a week in Burkina Faso by several hundred people protesting against the presence of France in the Sahel.

Less than 30 km after crossing the border with Niger, he faced new protests near the town of Téra, in the west, where he was taking an overnight break, according to Pascal Ianni, spokesperson. of the Chief of Staff of the French Armies.

In a statement, the Nigerien interior ministry said that “the convoy of the French force Barkhane, under escort of the national gendarmerie, en route to Mali, was blocked by very violent demonstrators in Téra (… ), where she (sic) spent the night “. “In her attempt to free herself, she used force,” he added, reporting a toll of 2 dead and 18 injured, 11 of which were serious. “An investigation is open to determine the exact circumstances of this tragedy and to locate the responsibilities”, continued the ministry.

“There were a lot of emotions on the side of the French soldiers because we did not expect such resistance, there were even wounded according to the General Staff, among the civilian drivers of the trucks”, describes Cyril Payen .

With Reuters and AFP