The Italians enter the Takuba task force in Mali and deploy to the Gulf of Guinea

(B2) It took some time for the Italians to confirm their participation in the French-led Takuba anti-terrorist taks-force. It's now done

This participation is included in the 2020 external operations plan submitted by the government on May 21, which has just been approved by the Chamber of Deputies on July 16. A delay justified by the scale of the coronavirus epidemic (Covid-19) in the peninsula which has blocked a good part of the legislative and governmental work.

A force of 200 soldiers

The Chamber of Deputies endorsed the government's proposal. Up to 200 soldiers (special forces and support personnel), 20 land vehicles and 8 air vehicles (drones, planes, helicopters) can be engaged in the next six. Italy thus becomes the second contributor to the task force.

The Italian command will be based in Ansongo in Mali, not far from the 'three borders' area. But the area of ​​operation will cover the three countries: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Cost of the commitment: approximately 15,6 million euros (part of which in 2021). Or 2 million euros per month (shared equally between staff and operations).

A priority strategic area for Italy

A commitment that is part of the new political, strategic and operational framework (alias the 'Coalition for the Sahel'), which brings together under joint command the French of Operation Barkhane (led by France) and the African joint force of the G5 Sahel (FC-G5S), composed of units from G5 Sahel countries.

This participation also responds to the “ need to protect national interests in a strategic area considered a priority says the government.

Its international basis is the UN Security Council resolution of June 2017 (Resolution 2359) which emphasizes " the importance for the international community to support African countries [...] in order to restore peace and security “, in particular the joint force of the G5 Sahel.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

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Presence in the Gulf of Guinea

Also noteworthy is the launch by Italy of a naval surveillance and security mission in the Gulf of Guinea, aimed at preventing and combating piracy and maritime crime, with a maximum of two ships and two planes/helicopters that can be engaged.

Objective: to ensure the protection of national strategic interests in the area, particularly in the waters facing Nigeria.

The Italians will rely on the forces already present in the area (French for Operation Corymbe, Spaniards and Portuguese who also have a local presence and Americans from Africacom.

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