France vows to continue to support anti-terrorism fight in Africa

The French government has sent message to its troop stationed in Africa to be prepared for a long war against terrorism in the region.

This is coming on the heels of an operation by Nigerian troops in Sambisa forest that led to the capture of Camp Zero which is the stronghold of the terrorists.

Among those arrested in the forest were 40 foreigners with some suspected to be French citizens following the arrest of one who is an expert in Amoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

Vanguard reports that Bernard Cazeneuve who is the prime minister of France also promised Chad, where French troops have been stationed since 2014 under Operation Barkhane, his nation’s financial support.

“Our country must continue to make clear and ambitious budgetary decisions in support of our armies.”

“We must prepare for a long war in an environment that has undergone dramatic shifts,” Cazeneuve said.

The Operation Barkhane covers five nations in Africa and was launched after French military interventions in Mali and Chad.

Others are Mauritania, Niger and Burkina Faso.

He hailed troops fighting on fronts “thousands of kilometres away from their homes”.

“You risk your lives to save others.”

“France will always help Chad surmount its difficulties,” Cazeneuve said after a meeting with President Idriss Deby.

Meanwhile, The Nigerian Army dismissed a new video released on Thursday, December 29, by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau as mere propaganda.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Army spokesman Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman said the attention of the Nigerian Army is drawn to a video clip released by Boko Haram from an undisclosed location a while ago, showing its purported leader, making spurious claims.

He said: “While effort is on-going to subject the video for further forensic analysis, the Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it has captured and occupied the last known stronghold of the terrorists group in the Sambisa forest.

“We would like to reassure the public that this video is nothing but mere terrorists propaganda aimed at creating fear in the mind of people and to remain relevant.”

He added: “Therefore, there is no cause for alarm, more so as concerted effort in clearing the vestiges of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding is still on-going.”