Targeting militants

BAMAKO: France and its African partners must work together to wipe out Islamist militants in the volatile Sahel region, President Emmanuel Macron said at the opening of a summit in Mali’s capital Bamako yesterday.

Leaders of the G5 Sahel bloc – Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad – were expected to launch a new multi-national force at the meeting aimed at combating Islamist militants and illegal activity in the vast arid zone.

“Every day we must combat terrorists, thugs, murderers... who we must steadfastly and with determination eradicate together,” said Macron.