On Monday 20 January in Brussels, the European Ministers for Foreign Affairs had a fruitful exchange of views on the European response to the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel (see EUROPE 12406/1, 12402/3).
This discussion took place in line with the G5 Sahel Summit ('Barkhane Summit') convened in Pau on 14 January at the initiative of France and which laid the foundations for a strengthened mobilisation against jihadist groups with the creation of an international coalition.
For the time being, France, which is at the forefront, could be supported by Sweden, Portugal and Estonia.
The discussion remained general, but the ministers welcomed the results of the Pau summit and expressed their support for a strengthening of European action, primarily in the security field, but also in the humanitarian and development field (along the three axes of the EU's holistic integrated strategy for the Sahel revised in 2014 and which is being considered for further revision).
The European Union is indeed the largest donor in the region, its largest political partner and a key player in the security field.
"Last Monday, I was in Pau, at the G5 Sahel Summit. We have identified an absolute urgency. The situation has deteriorated enormously. Libya is a tumour that is metastasising throughout the region and destabilising the countries south of the Sahara", said the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, at a press conference. "We have three ESDP missions. The Council agrees to increase this strategic cooperation. More needs to be done", he added.
To this end, an international conference on the G5 Sahel will take place in Brussels in the margins of the European Council on 26-27 March. Before the ministers, the High Representative stated that it was necessary to arrive "prepared" at this international conference, the format of which has yet to be specified.
"We will review the EU's integrated strategy for the Sahel to expand geographically and operationally these three missions", said Mr Borrell.
He recalled that in 2019, the G5 Sahel countries recorded heavy human losses: 1,500 soldiers were killed - the highest number since 2012, and, if we add the civilian casualties of the jihadist attacks "around 4,000 people" would have lost their lives.
French Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian welcomed the support for a coalition for the Sahel. "This is the first time, really, that I feel that Europe has regained control", he said, citing Libya (see other news), but also the Sahel.
According to the French Minister, this coalition will aim to strengthen the action against terrorism and the security capacity of the G5 Sahel countries and will work towards more effective development. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)