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OIC participates in G5 Sahel summit in Niamey, Niger

OIC participates in G5 Sahel summit in Niamey, Niger

Organization of Islamic Cooperation, OICJeddah : The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) took part in the fourth ordinary session of the summit of the G5 Sahel countries comprising Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, held in Nigerien capital Niamey last week.

The summit, attended by the heads of state of the five countries, discussed among other things, the operationalization of the G5 Sahel Joint Force to combat rising insecurity in their common space.

OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, in his statement to the summit, delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, reiterated the full solidarity and support of the OIC to the Sahel countries in their endeavors to achieve development, security, countering terrorism and climate change. He recalled the adoption of Resolution 55/44-Pol on the G5 Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S) by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on 10 July 2017 and pledged his commitment to its implementation.

The summit was also attended by other key international partners of the Sahel region including 12 countries and 13 international, regional and sub-regional organizations.

The G5 Sahel is an institutional framework for coordination of regional cooperation in development policies and security matters in central Africa. It was formed on 16 February 2014 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, at a summit of the five Sahel countries.

—AB/UNA-OIC

US issues travel warning for Niger

US issues travel warning for Niger

US State Department

US State Department

Washington : The US State Department has issued a travel warning to Niger and urged American citizens not to travel to the African country or surrounding areas due to “terrorist activity, kidnappings and high rate of crime”, the media reported.

“Terrorist organisations, armed groups, and smugglers operate in the areas bordering Mali, Libya, and throughout northern Niger,” the travel warning issued on Monday said.

“Mali-based extremist groups have crossed the border and carried out multiple lethal attacks on Nigerien security forces (FDS) and on US forces assisting the FDS.”

The travel warning cited Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Islamic State (IS) affiliates in the Sahara, Libya, and West Africa, and Boko Haram, reports The Hill magazine.

The announcement from the State Department comes weeks after four US Green Berets were killed in Niger when militants ambushed them.

“There is a high threat of kidnapping by various terrorist groups, who have kidnapped Westerners, including a US citizen, and threatened .S citizens in Niger,” the State Department added.

“As a result of safety and security concerns, some organisations, including foreign companies, NGOs, and private aid organisations have suspended operations in Niger or withdrawn family members and/or staff.”

The warning also comes the same day the State Department promised up to $60 million to aid the Group of Five Sahel States (G5 Sahel) Joint Force, which includes Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Chad and Burkina Faso, in security efforts, reports The Hill magazine.

“Defeating terrorism depends on making sure terrorist organisations cannot have safe havens on any continent,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday.

“This money will bolster our regional partners in their fight to ensure security and stability in the face of IS and affiliated groups and other terrorist networks. This is a fight we must win, and these funds will play a key role in achieving that mission,” he added.

Various extremist groups operate throughout both the Sahel and West Africa, including multiple IS and Al Qaeda affiliates.

—IANS