West Africa Seeking €50 Mln From EU For Anti-Islamist Force

Presidents of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso at G5 Sahel

The countries of West Africa's Sahel region are requesting €50 million (US$56 million) from the European Union to help set up a multinational force to take on Islamist militant groups, Mali's military chief said on Saturday.

FOR THE RECORD: Africa Sahel States Agree To Set Up Joint Counter-Terror Force

More than 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Gao, Northern Mali, last month. AFP

Five countries in Africa’s Sahel region have agreed to set up a joint counter-terrorism force to tackle the jihadist threat.