According to a report, leaders of France and a group of five Sahel countries began a two day summit to discuss the anti- insurgency operations, amid mounting local dissatisfaction over the military- heavy approach that has failed to stabilise the region. Reportedly, the leaders of five Sahel countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania and Chad are attending the summit in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena, with the french president attending by video link.
According to the report, the meeting comes a year after France boosted its forces in the Sahel in an attempt to gain momentum in the long running battle. Reportedly, despite military successes, insurgents control vast areas of territory. According to the report, six u.n. personnel have been killed in Mali this year, and France has lost five soldiers since December. Reportedly, thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed, while more than two million people fled their homes.
According to the report, some experts believe there is a choice between concentrating solely on a military strategy or looking at governance, political representation, fiscal reforms and human rights issues.
Reportedly, Chad promised a year ago to send troops to the three point area of interest where the frontier of Mali, Niger and Burkina converge. According to the report, army officers overthrew Malian president, Ibrahim Keita following protests about his failure to end the conflict.
Reportedly, a 2015 peace deal was signed by the Malian government and the coordinated Azawad movement (Azawad is the Tuareg name for all Tuareg Berber areas). Points are; respect for the national unity and territorial integrity of Mali, recognition and promotion of cultural diversity, appreciation of the contribution made by all the people of Mali, particularly women and young people in building the nation. Effective management of their own affairs, promotion of balanced development, the rejection of violence as a means of political expression, and the use of dialogue to resolve differences.