UAE conducts first flight to back stability in Sahel region
ABU DHABI: The Ministry of Defence has announced that it is conducting logistical support flights to support the efforts of the international community, led by France, to combat terrorism in the Sahel region of Africa and re-establish security and stability.
The departure of the first flight from Abu Dhabi took place in the presence of Lt. General Saleh Mohammad Saleh Al Ameri, Commander of Joint Operations at the Ministry of Defence, and Xavier Chatel, French Ambassador to the UAE.
In a statement, Lt. General Al Ameri affirmed that the UAE was keen to help ensure security and stability in the Sahel region.
Chatel thanked the UAE for supporting the efforts of the international community and France to bring back stability to the Sahel region.
The UAE Armed Forces has several flights scheduled to transport humanitarian aid, given its extensive regional and international humanitarian experience.
Recently, the United Arab Emirates today participated in the second ministerial meeting of the Coalition for the Sahel, affirming its commitment to strengthening collective efforts to boost security and stability in Sahel countries, apart from advancing development and humanitarian efforts in the region.
The virtual meeting followed the recent adoption of the N’djamena Communique by the G5 Sahel Heads of State and partners present at the N’djamena Summit on February 16, 2021. The communique set out broad guidelines for collective action to stabilise the Sahel and provided a framework for the development of the Sahel Coalition Roadmap, which serves as a statement of intent and basis for action in a number of key areas.
In his opening remarks, Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, expressed his appreciation for the UAE’S participation in the meeting, noting: “These highlevel meetings provide an opportunity to build on the momentum to deliver on our common goals, which include combating terrorist groups, strengthening the capabilities of the Sahel states’ armed forces, and continuing to mobilise humanitarian and development assistance to this region.”