Niger: EU donates 13 armoured vehicles to support the fight against terrorism
Niamey, Niger (PANA) - The European Union (EU) donated 13 armoured vehicles to Niger on Tuesday to "build the capacity" of Nigerien contingents engaged in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel.
Receiving the vehicles, Nigerien Minister of National Defence Issoufou Katambé recalled that the EU support for the Niger component of the Joint Force G5 Sahel, began in 2017 with bilateral contributions of member states for the establishment of the fuselage central command post and continued with support via the peace support facility in Africa, combined with other bilateral actions.
"These 13 armoured combat vehicles will protect our units in the areas of operation from fire, but above all from traps and other explosive devices used by armed terrorist groups," said the minister.
"These modern armoured vehicles, whose excellent manouvre in uneven ground and good protection capabilities, will contribute to increasing the mobility of units of the Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN), thus helping them to maintain pressure on armed terrorist groups who seek to destabilize the border regions of Niger by attacking the populations and symbols of the state," he said.
Speaking at the function, the EU Ambassador to Niger, Dr. Denisa Elena Ionette, said that the delivery of these vehicles reflected "the commitment of the European Union in the Sahel, the tangible support for the Joint force of the G5 Sahel and the efforts that Niger and the Nigeriens carry out every day."
According to her, the donation of the armoured vehicles is part of the delivery programme of 46 vehicles for the five G5 Sahel countries.
"The objective of this programme is to support the functioning and operationalization of the Force through the provision of equipment, services and works essential to its deployment," she said.
-0- PANA SA/JSG/SOC/KND/AR 24Mar2020
