Panafrican News Agency

Coronavirus: Insecurity, COVID-19 cause for concern in Mauritania

Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The summit of G5 Sahel heads of state here Tuesday expressed deep concern with the security situation in the sub-region and the economic and social consequences of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The summit, which was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, ”marks a new stage in the monitoring of the commitments made in Pau (Southern France in January)”.

It discussed major developments, particularly the persistence of terrorist attacks in Sahel and the deterioration of the situation in Libya that poses high risks on stability in Sahel and the whole sub-region.

That stability is also compromised by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with its attendant economic and social effects.

Apart from the heavy and human loss of lives, the pandemic has seriously affected the fragile economies of G5 Sahel countries with the risk of serious contraction of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which can reach at least 7 or 8 percent for some countries.

The G5 Sahel is an organisation dedicated to the fight against terrorism, insecurity and the coordination of development efforts.

It is composed of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad.

 

-0-   PANA    SAS/TBM/MSA/RA   30Jun2020