Anti-Terror fight in the Sahel: “Germany is one of our most important partners”

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Maman Sidikou, Secretary General of the West African intervention Force, G5 Sahel, is currently in Berlin to explore how the Germans in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel can help. Dialogue with terrorists, he rejects.

DW: Mr Sidikou, they are currently in Germany, visiting various ministries and the Bundestag. What do you expect from Germany? Further financial Commitments for the G5-Sahel States?

Maman Sidikou: This is not currently a priority. Germany was within the EU, with France one of the first countries to have supported the G5-Alliance in his. We want to explain what we do exactly, what are the options in the five States in the Sahel, but also what are the difficulties in security, defence and development. But it is important to clarify what the support in the amount of approximately EUR 200 million, the us, Germany says. This is a lot of money. We also want to identify Germany’s priorities in the Sahel Alliance, which is one of our partners in our efforts, an emergency program set up for the most population at risk of poverty in the border regions. The regular exchange for the change in the Sahel is important to us. Germany’s Know-how, for example, in the case of renewable energies or the vocational education and training, is of great importance. This is particularly in relation to young people is very important, because the terrorists in the border regions to recruit many young people.

Germany also provides assistance as a member of the EU: There is already training and Capacity-Building missions such as EUTM Mali or EUCAP Sahel for training, for example, of the Malian army. What is the role of these missions?

An extremely important! In Mali, in Niger and in Chad, you are doing an excellent job. There should even be a regionalisation of the institutions involved, will settle permanently in the Region, in order to reduce coordination problems. You will come to Nouakchott, there is still close with the G5-the General Secretariat to cooperate. Germany is also our most important Partner for the construction of the military Academy of the G5 Alliance, based in Nouakchott, where 35 officers of higher level are trained. We want to involve the country even more.

What is the reaction of the German policy?

In the Ministry of defence has given us assurances that Germany will continue to accompany us. Through its seat on the UN security Council, Germany can give us diplomatic support for a sustainable financing of the joint task force and a robust mandate for our operations. We hope very on the joint presidency of Germany and France in the security Council.

When the task force compares the G5 Sahel, with the multinational Force from countries such as Nigeria and Cameroon, against Boko Haram, you will see that it runs better there.

We do not have in the G5 Sahel, Nigeria. Our five countries have provided the first means, thanks to which the battalions are equipped and in use were capable of. Each of our States has provided tens of millions of euros. What do you mean, like the command post or else would work? Every three months, will be paid for defense and security. The a state spends 17 percent of its budget, the other 20, and the third, maybe even 30 percent. This is very much – especially when you consider that this money could otherwise flow into education or health! But Nigeria, which has more financial means than our five States, among the poorest in Africa, is not just. But the regional organisations, UEMOA (the West African economic and monetary Union, ed. d. Red.) and the West African economic community, have provided us with money to spend, and Rwanda was the first country that has supported us. In this respect, one can say that Africa has understood that we are dealing with a common African Problem. But also the United Arab Emirates have transferred money.

Germany has promised to, as you say, 200 million euros. For military purposes or for development?

The Sahel Alliance, in which Germany is involved, wants to focus on resilience, defense and security, and less on infrastructure. But we will speak in April with the Arab countries, to see how they work in the area of infrastructure can help. Sometimes I feel impatience when it comes to the implementation of our goals. But people forget that it is our joint reaction Force for only two years. I don’t answer it, even if that is always well received, that the building has lasted the process of Nato for much longer.

Maman Sidikou in an interview with DW-editors Dirce Köpp and Fréjus Quenum

Do you not sometimes have a feeling that hypocrisy is in the game? On the one hand, Europe supports the African countries with development funds, on the other hand, European and international companies to benefit from the African raw materials instead of the populations of the countries.

I don’t think So. Everyone has his own best interests. We make us because there is no Illusion. Europe’s main interest in the shops are safe. On the other hand, the Europeans do not want to be overrun but also of immigrants and therefore also on safety. This, however, can go in the development of the regions from which the migrants come. What’s wrong with shops? In the Sahel it is not only terrorism, but also a huge potential! Renewable energies, raw materials, uranium, Oil, Gas… potential in Abundance! And we want, want to do business. That Germany, with its companies that are in the area of renewable energies to the best in the world. We invite you! But, of course, be guaranteed the security.

You spoke of grants from Arab countries. How honest can this help? After all, Chad accused Qatar of supporting terrorists. It also means that the Malian leader Iyad Ag can fly Ghali freely to Saudi Arabia.

All of the G5 countries are keen to ensure that their countries remain sovereign. If Saudi Arabia us five million euros promises, we are happy, because Saudi Arabia is a brother country. We use the money that it makes available to us, but how we mean it. Rumors I did not come, however, animals.

But where Iyad Ag Ghali is?

I don’t know it. If we knew it, we would have done it already.

It’s “thing”, so to arrest or to kill?

The terms “neutralize” meant to me. The most Important thing is that you have to prevent such people from doing harm and to endanger the security of our countries and peoples.

What do you think of dialogue with such terrorists?

No Comment! I was in Afghanistan and in Somalia and have also spoken with people, for example, are calling for a Dialog with the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab. Currently, this is not an issue for us.

Maman Sidikou is a nigrischer politician and Diplomat who served, among other things, for the UNESCO, the world Bank and the AU Mission in Somalia. He is currently Secretary-General of the West African Anti-terrorist reaction Force G5 Sahel, the countries of Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad belong to. It has its registered office in Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott.

The Interview was conducted by Dirce Köpp and Fréjus Quenum.