(Ecofin Agency) - The African Union is considering sending 3,000 more soldiers to the Sahel to help combat the escalating terrorism activity in the region. This was announced February 27 in Addis Ababa by Smaïl Chergui (pictured), AU Peace and Security Commissioner.

The new troops are going to support the G5 Sahel Force, which is still struggling to become operational, as well as the French Barkhane force. AU wants to restore the lost security stability in this region which has become the playground of armed groups such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (SIS-GS).

Let’s note that many communities of protestors in Mali and Burkina Faso are questioning the presence of French troops in the Sahel but Heads of State of the G5 Sahel countries have renewed their wish to see France remain in the region.

For the time being, no details have yet been communicated on the modalities and the exact timetable for deployment. According to the United Nations, violence by extremist groups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger resulted in 4,000 deaths in 2019, 500% more than in 2016.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou