Source: www.aujourd8.net/mali /    Les Forces Armées Maliennes (FAMa) sont responsables de la défense de l’intégrité territoriale et la souveraineté du Mali

By Gary Raynaldo    / DIPLOMATIC TIMES

At least 54 soldiers  were in an attack  Friday on an army post in northern Mali, the government said. “Following the attack of the FAMa position in Indelimane, the reinforcements dispatched found 54 bodies including 1 civilian, 10 survivors & found significant material damage. The situation is under control. Raking and the body identification process are continuing,” Yaya Sangare, Ministre de la Communication, Chargé des Relations avec les Institutions & Porte Parole du Gouvernement de la République du Mali,  said via Twitter.  Islamic state claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq news agency on Saturday, without providing evidence.  Terror and violent attacks linked to militant Islamic groups in the Africa SAHEL  region have increased dramatically during the past few years.  The main African countries on the front lines in the battle against terrorism in the dangerous Sahel region are Mauritania, Niger, Mali, Chad, and Burkina Faso.

À la suite de l’attaque de la position des FAMa à Indelimane,les renforts dépêchés ont retrouvé 54 corps dont 1 civil,10 rescapés & constaté des dégâts matériels importants. La situation est sous contrôle.Le ratissage & le processus d’identification des corps se poursuivent.

— Yaya Sangare (@YayaBSangare) November 2, 2019

UN  Condemns The Terror Onslaught in West Africa

“We are outraged by Friday’s attack against the Malian army camp in Indelimane, in Mali’s Ménaka region.  The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, sent a quick reaction force to help the Malians safeguard the area.  The peacekeepers are currently supporting search and rescue operations.  MINUSMA also reports that an improvised explosive device killed one soldier from the French Operation Barkhane on 2 November in the vicinity of Indelimane.  We convey our condolences to the families of the victims and the Governments of Mali and France and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

–Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary‑General said Nov. 4,  2019 during press briefing.

Meanwhile, frustration is mounting among African leaders as there seems to be no end to deadly terror and ethnic attacks across the Sahel. 

Credit: UN photo / /Ariana Lindquist /   Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, President of Mali, speaks at the high-level meeting on Mali and the Sahel on margins of UN General Assembly Session Sept. 25, 2019 at world headquarters New  York. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Malian Government to brief on the implementation of the priority measures listed in a previously determined Security Council resolution (2480).

“As I have said in the beginning, the situation in the Sahel has become a regional threat. I am encouraged by the renewed engagement of the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), who committed at an extraordinary session earlier this month to step up efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel.”

-Secretary-General of the  UN, Antonio Guterres said at the UNGA Session Sep. 25, 2019

African Ambassadors Call For More Action To End Terror Attacks in SAHEL

Credit:  By Gary Raynaldo  /  Ambassador of Niger to the United States Abdallah Wafy (left),  Ambassador  of Mauritania  to the U.S.  Ba  Samba  Mamadou,  and  Second Adviser of the Embassy of Mali in the U.S. Ibrahima  Biridogo , participate in the  Africa Center for Strategic Studies  roundtable, “Strategies for Peace and Security in the Sahel” at National Defense University in Washington D.C. Sept. 9, 2019.

United Nations Cannot Deal With Terrorist Threat: Ambassador of NIGER  to U.S. 

“Ten years ago, there were no foreign troops in Mali. Now there are many.  (UN) MINUSMA costs $1 Billion per year. After six years and $6 Billion,  we still have the problem of terrorism. Also France spends $700 million per  year for its Operation Barkhane. But the situation (in Sahel) is deteriorating. The region is still a sanctuary for terrorists.  We should divert these funds to those who are able to do the job. The UN can not deal with a terrorist threat.  MINUSMA is a peacekeeping operation. MINUSMA is not designed to fight terrorists. We are going to address this issue at the UN Security Council next year. As of January 2020, Niger will be on the UN Security Council.”

-Ambassador of Niger to the United States Abdallah Wafy