By Daniels Nwokike
In their bid to combat insecurity in the Sahel Region, France has sent a powerful delegation of its Senior Defence Personnel to the Headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (HQ MNJTF) Ndjamena, Chad on Monday.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the Military Public Information Officer, Colonel Mustapha Anka, the visit was to congratulate MNJTF on their successes so far in combating terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin and also to get a firsthand experience from MNJTF on how to administer G5 Sahel Joint Task Force in the Sahel region.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Force Commander (FC) Major General Lucky Irabor expressed gratitude for the visit and spoke briefly about the makeup and operations of MNJTF while using the opportunity to also thank the delegation and commended the French government for its support so far to the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin Region.
During an interactive session, the French Delegation inquired of MNJTF the secret behind their successes and the staff cooperation composed of personnel from five different countries which include Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Benin Republic.
In response to the enquiries, the Force Commander who was represented by the Deputy Force Commander MNJTF, Brigadier General Moussa Mahamat Djoui said that MNJTF successes are based on trust, individual and collective commitment and sacrifices as well as the timely sharing of intelligence and communication amongst staff.
The delegation was led by Madame Florence Parly, France Army Minister.
Other members of the delegation included: H.E. Philippe Lacoste, French Ambassador; Vice Admiral Casabianca, Chief of Military Cabinet; Mr Xavier Chatel, Diplomatic Counsellor; Major General Guibert, Comanfor Barkhane, Madame Frederique Camilleri, Chief of Civil Cabinet; Mr Gregoire Devaux, Communication Counsellor;
Others are; Colonel Frederic Pichon, French Embassy Defence Attaché to Chad; Colonel Jacques de Montgros, Deputy Chief of International Relations Cell; Colonel Benoit Taillandier, Chief of CCL;.Major Stephane Bayle, Aide de Camp; Madame Sophie Louet, Reuters press agent.
