African countries set to establish Rapid Intervention Force to tackle terrorist groups in Mali

NIAMEY (Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Report) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali (Ambassador) has during the Ministerial Meeting of Countries contributing troops to MINUSMA which held on November 5, 2014 in Niamey, Niger Republic said that the organisation is set to establish the Rapid Intervention Force to fight against terrorist groups and other cross – border criminal organisations.

Aminu Wali noted that the Rapid Intervention Force will strengthen the current capacity of MINUSMA towards attaining the required contingents provided in the 2100 and 2164 Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council as well as enable the mission effectively fulfil its mandate.

The Minister who led the Nigerian delegation also said that the Meeting agreed to strengthen Malian Defence and Security Forces (MSDS) to enable them defend the territorial integrity of mali. “Other decisions taken include: strengthening regional cooperation in terms of cross – border security between the Sahelo-Saharan Region Countries through the establishment of operational mechanisms capable of fighting terrorism and organised crimes.

“The meeting also agreed to strengthen cross-border cooperation in terms of security, especially with Mali’s neighbours for the exchange of information, fighting terrorism and trafficking of all kinds. It strongly supported the international mediation under Algeria Initiative and encouraged the different Malian parties concerned to reach a Peace Agreement,” he revealed.

“The Niamey Ministerial Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence was convened at the instance of Niger Republic to assess the operational capacities of MINUSMA, in view of its current mandate and deterioration in the security situation of Northern Mali.”

Present at the meeting were member – countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Chad and Togo (Troop contributing countries to MINUSMA) as well as observing countries: Algeria, China, France, Mauritania, United States of America and international organisations – the African Union, ECOWAS, European Union, CEN-SAD and Organization of Islamic Countries (OIS).