The European Union committed to fighting cross-border terrorism in the Sahel
In 2017, the deterioration of the security situation in the G5 Sahel countries prompted the Heads of State of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to formalise the creation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. The mission of this cross-border Force is to pool efforts to fight against terrorism and cross-border crime, contribute to restoring the authority of States over their territories and facilitate the development and implementation of humanitarian actions.
The European Union has decided to support the G5JF through several cooperation actions. Since 2017, it entrusted Expertise France with a €196.4 million project as part of the African Peace Facility. This support consists of the provision of goods and services and the implementation of works and is a key component of the strategy of the G5 Sahel countries for the fight against terrorism and stabilisation of the subregion, which is essential for its economic and social development.
In addition, the European Union has developed a second component of support for the G5 Sahel Joint Force in 2023, under the European Peace Facility. With a €17 million financing, this support focuses exclusively on infrastructure work in northern Chad.
G5 Sahel Joint Force, a key actor for the stabilisation of the subregion
The G5 Sahel Joint Force was initially composed of 8 battalions (5,000 men) spread across three zones (West, Centre and East), which correspond to 50-km strips on both sides of common borders.
Due to the withdrawals of the Joint Force (in Mali in May 2022 and in Niger and Burkina Faso in November 2023), the alliance came down to two countries: Mauritania and Chad.
The Support Project to the G5JF now focuses on 4 battalions:
• In Mauritania, the battalions of N’Beiket Lahouach and Bassikounou
• In Chad, the battalions of Wour and Kouri Bougoudi
Objectives and scopes of intervention of the G5JF programme
The Programme to Support the G5 Sahel Joint Force contributes to the fight against cross-border terrorism and the stabilisation of the subregion by taking action on three main components:
1) Protection and resilience of combatants
• Personal protection of fighters
• Tactical intelligence
• Advanced tactical air guidance
• Fight against improvised explosive devices
• Strengthening the protection for the areas controlled by the battalions
• Operational logistics and maintenance of equipment
2) Strategic and tactical mobility of the battalions
• Intervention and reconnaissance vehicles
• Support and commitment vehicles
• Tactical driving in arid areas
• Maintenance of vehicles
3) Strengthening the Command & Control capacities of the Joint Force
• Construction or rehabilitation of command posts (CPs)
• Access to energy at the CPs
• Provision of command vehicles for the CPs
• Information and communication systems
• Support to the Defence College of the G5 Sahel
The project is characterised by non-lethal support, in compliance with the eligibility rules of the African Peace Facility and support for the multinational command posts and battalions of the G5JF. It focuses on infrastructure building, equipment maintenance and delivery as well as personnel training.
As for the second part of the project, it aims to strengthen the military presence in Northern Chad by finalizing infrastructure works in the East CP.
A reliable and swift intervention mechanism in close collaboration with Expertise France’s partners
The Expertise France team, divided between Paris and the field, works with a reliable and swift mechanism, set up in collaboration with our partners, to provide the best possible response to the needs of the Joint Force. It is based on six stages:
1) Analysis of the needs, with the partners and in contact with the Force, in terms of equipment, services and works
2) Feasibility study and choice of appropriate solutions
3) Bid invitations for European and African companies
4) Establishing contracts and obtaining administrative authorisations
5) Implementation by the company selected and supervised by Expertise France
6) Closing
Throughout these activities, Expertise France ensures the inter-operability of the equipment and that it is maintained in operational conditions.
These swift capacities made it possible to adapt the programme quickly when former member countries withdrew from the alliance.
