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Whereas Dakar hosts from this Monday the eighth version of the Worldwide Discussion board on Peace and Safety in Africa, the place it is going to be query particularly of the cooperation between the continent and its companions within the safety area, a bilateral train between the Senegalese armies and French occurred from October 19 to 21 on the Petite Côte, south of the Senegalese capital.
From our correspondent in Dakar,
On the lengthy, windswept sandy seaside of Ngasobil, commandos arrived at night time to reconnoiter the realm. The train is named “Xaritoo 2022” – “Friendship” in Wolof.
Within the situation, it’s a query of supporting an imaginary nation, explains the squadron chief Ciré Ndiaye: ” It’s a inexperienced nation, prey to a insurrection supported by Ruby mercenaries, the chief is named Sokhor. On this context, the UN has known as on Senegal and France to revive order on this territory and forestall abuses in opposition to the inhabitants. »
Ships land troopers and armored automobiles. In complete, a few thousand males from each armies are engaged. A really complicated train, explains the French commander Johnny: “ It’s kind of just like the countryside of Normandy or that of Provence. The amphibious operation makes it attainable to enter the pressure first, earlier than having a bigger one to proceed the mission. France and Senegal needed to have the ability to prepare on a really bold train this 12 months since it’s each an inter-allied train, but additionally a joint train with a change of atmosphere. »
« Excessive maturity of each armies »
The French amphibious helicopter service Thunder crosses offshore. Division Basic Philippe Dia, Inspector Basic of the Senegalese Armed Forces, observes the maneuver: “ Senegal has already carried out any such operation. We went to Guinea-Bissau, to Liberia. Tomorrow, it’s not excluded that with our navy, we must lead this sort of operations. Working with a pressure that has slightly extra expertise than us is helpful. »
« Getting ready for something is the easiest way to not be shocked “, asserts Basic Étienne du Peyroux, commander of the French Components in Senegal (EFS) who delivered practically 250 coaching classes and coaching programs in West Africa final 12 months. ” The mere truth of with the ability to set up a joint train exhibits that there’s a excessive degree of maturity of the 2 armies, he continues. Few armies on the planet have this degree of ambition. That is the illustration that we wish to pursue, to continuously enhance cooperation with African armies. »
After Senegal, a mission of the helicopter service “Tonnerre” is deliberate in Côte d’Ivoire.
► To learn additionally: The Dakar Forum facing the challenges of stability and sovereignty
