The EU will finance the reconstruction of the G5 Sahel HQ in Sévaré

(B2) The European Commission announced on Wednesday 25 July that it will fund " the entire reconstruction from the headquarters of the G5 Sahel joint force, the target of an attack last June. A necessity for Europeans who rely on the forces of the G5 to take over

The attack of June 29, car bomb followed by a shooting, claimed by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel, linked to Al-Qaeda (read: A Franco-Malian patrol from Barkhane attacked in Gao (V3)), killed three people (two soldiers and one civilian). But it had above all cast doubt on the capacity of the Malian forces to act and on the leadership of the Force. The commander had also been quickly dismissed. And a Mauritanian general, Hanena Ould Sidi, appointed to head this Force.

A suicide attack destroying the HQ

As a significant consequence, the suicide attack also destroyed a good part of the G5 Sahel headquarters in Sévaré (central Mali), making it unsuitable for coordinating future operations. In addition to the main entrance, several buildings including accommodation facilities have indeed been damaged or destroyed.

All reconstruction funded by the EU

It is on this logistical aspect that the European Commission has decided to intervene. "We have decided to fully support the reconstruction of the headquarters in Sévaré, Mali", announced the Commission on Wednesday (25 July). No budget has yet been announced, but the extent of the damage suggests that major reconstruction and securing work is needed. This decision was made in close consultation “With the French of Operation Barkhane, the commander of the G5 Sahel Force and the European military training mission of the Malian army (EUTM Mali), we specify in Brussels.

Objective: Avoid the Collapse of the Joint Force

Even before the attack, the operationalization of the Joint Force was in question (read: The joint force of the G5 Sahel is struggling to set up). The destruction of the HQ reduced the physical capabilities of the force. By financing the reconstruction, the EU ensures that it will take place more quickly. It thus supports the continuity of the action of the Force headquarters on the spot. The European Union " will continue this consultation work with the new Force Commander as soon as he takes office ».

... and defend European interests

"The attack on the headquarters of the G5 Sahel Joint Force in Mali is also an attack on our common priority to bring peace to the region", specifies the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini. This support is a logical extension of the position always affirmed by the Europeans for local forces (read: The 28 renew their support for the G5 Sahel).

Nb: By preventing the Joint Force from falling apart, the EU also intends to support the investments already made so far. The G5 Sahel being a bet that should allow Europeans to disengage, at least militarily, from the region.

(Leonor Hubaut)

Read also: G5 Sahel. Europe has not quite kept its promises (Kalla Ankourao)