French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said his government will step up security measures to protect French nationals in Africa’s Sahel region, reported Reuters.
The announcement comes two days after six French aid workers were shot dead in Niger. They were attacked on Sunday in Koure National Park, which is located just 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the Nigerien capital of Niamey. The French government called it a terrorist attack, though no terrorist group has yet claimed responsibility. The victims included French and Niger nationals from ACTED and IMPACT aid organizations.
“We will do everything we can to support the families of the victims and to respond to the attack that cost the lives of six of our compatriots and two Nigeriens. These six young people, who were members of the NGO ‘ACTED’, showed extraordinary commitment to the local population,” President Macron tweeted after a cabinet meeting.
He said the government has decided to step up security measures to ensure safety of its citizens as it continues to boost efforts to eradicate the terrorist groups in the region.
Macron vowed there would be consequences, including military ones, from the attack.
The French military has a 5,100-member anti-jihadist force in the Sahel, which covers five countries, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. French military troops and the army in Niger and neighboring Mali are fighting together to suppress a jihadist insurgency, which has seen army outposts in both countries attacked by militants.
“We’re pursuing action to eradicate the terrorist groups, with the strengthened support of our partners,” Macron said.
A statement from the French Presidency confirmed that President Macron spoke to Niger President M. Mahamadou Issoufou about the incident. He described the attack as a murderous attack that cowardly targeted a group of humanitarian workers.
ACTED said the attacks should not target workers helping with the vulnerable affected by the conflict.
“This heinous crime must not go unpunished, nor will it distract us from our commitment to support the people of Niger,” the charity said in the statement.
