The Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Major General Lucky Irabor paid a two day visit to the Headquarters G5 Sahel, Sevare, Mali from 4th-5th December 2017.
On arrival at the Mopti Ambodedjo International Airport, Sevare, the FC and entourage proceeded to the G5 Headquarters where he was received by the FC G5 Sahel, Major General Didier Dacko.
In his remarks, General Irabor appreciated the warm reception accorded to him. He used the forum to inform the FC G5 Sahel of the purpose of his visit to the Force Headquarters, which according to him was to synergise, exchange notes, share information/intelligence and encourage one another towards achieving a common goal. He stated that the G5 Sahel was created on a good and solid foundation. He reiterated the need to remain focused, resolute, maintain closer relationship and share ideas in order to fight terrorism and related criminality in the region.
In his welcome remarks, the FC G5 Sahel, welcome General Irabor and his team to the Headquarters. He stated that both forces have a lot in common, which according to General Dacko, include fighting terrorist activities, illegal migration and trafficking in persons, proliferation of arms and light weapons amongst others. He also assured the forum that the G5 Sahel is willing to exchange intelligence and draw inspiration from MNJTF which according to him have recorded huge success since its operationalization a couple of years ago.
The visit witnessed a detailed presentation on the current security situation in the Area of Operation (AoO), deployment, achievements, and future prospect.
General Irabor was accompanied to the visit by some Chiefs of Cells in MNJTF from Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and some members of the Centre for Coordination and Liaison (CCL), Operation BARKANE.
The FC G5 included Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Mauritania sharing a common boundaries decided to come together in order to tackle common security challenge they have.
Earlier in July the FC G5 in company of some of his staff officers visited MNJTF to understudy and get an insight of what it does. The force has been operationalized and commanded by a Malian Gen.
