Two thousand soldiers of joint force of Accra initiative to be deployed in Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Accra Initiative Summit decided on Tuesday to deploy 2,000 troops to Burkina Faso with headquarters in Tamale, Ghana, and intelligence in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso public television (RTB) reported.
This summit held in Accra was a framework to mature the incentive that brings together six countries to limit the spread of terrorism.
The initiative is purely security-based and focuses on partnership and mutual support between member countries.
"If this initiative does not produce concrete results, Burkina Faso reserves the right to withdraw because we are not in favour of endless summits and meetings without results. I think that we have been understood because the initiative has become aware of the security situation in the sub-region and the states have committed themselves to setting up a joint force very quickly to support the countries fighting terrorism in the Sahel," said the head of the Burkina Faso government, Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela.
The Accra initiative's counter-terrorism force will come into being within a month, but US$550 million is needed to get it started.
ECOWAS, the African Union, the EU and Britain have already pledged to support the initiative.
"For example, by taking a small amount from a kilogram of coffee, cocoa or cotton sold, or from a bar of gold mined, we can raise the funds to implement this initiative. This conference has ended and I am satisfied because we have been heard," said the head of government of Burkina Faso.
Nigeria said it was ready to accompany this joint force with air support and logistics.
"The other countries have understood that if terrorism is not defeated in Burkina Faso, it will spread to all the countries bordering Burkina Faso," said the Burkinabe Prime Minister.
The Accra Initiative was launched in September 2017 by Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo in response to growing insecurity linked to violent extremism in the region.
-0- PANA TNDD/IS/BBA/RA 23Nov2022
