Military equipment enables the G5 Joint Force Sahel fight against terrorism

The Joint Force’s missions include combating counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, and trafficking in the Sahel, a region that has seen an increase in violence since 2017.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command NIAMEY, Niger Aug 14, 2020

View Gallery

Gallery contains 1 image

NIAMEY, Niger – The United States donated more than $8 million in military equipment to Niger in a ceremony Aug. 5. The equipment will aid the West African nation and its G5 Sahel Joint Force partners in the fight against terrorism in the region.

“As we have seen with the recent deadly attack on innocent civilians in Niger, security continues to be a concern in the Sahel,” said Mr. Jer Donald Get, deputy director security cooperation, U.S. Africa Command. “This donation is just one way AFRICOM supports our Nigerien and G5 Sahel Joint Force partners in their fight against terrorism.”

The equipment donated includes 15 Osprea MK7 MAMBA armored personnel carriers, four Osprea MK7 MAMBA armored command vehicles, three Osprea MK7 MAMBA armored ambulances, two Toyota land cruiser ambulances, and four armored vehicle mechanic tool sets. The U.S. will also provide maintenance support for the equipment.

“This equipment delivery will continue efforts to grow and operationalize the G5 Sahel Joint Force as it takes great strides towards removing the scourge of violent extremism from this region,” said U.S. Ambassador to Niger, Eric Whitaker.

The G5 Sahel Joint Force member countries are Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. The Joint Force’s missions include combating counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, and trafficking in the Sahel, a region that has seen an increase in violence since 2017.

The U.S. and Niger have developed a long-standing partnership that includes military training exercises as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support for counterterrorism activities.

“As demonstrated by our continuous support, the United States considers Niger an extremely important strategic partner, and one that is critical to the multi-national effort to defeat some of the world’s most ruthless terrorist groups,” said Whitaker.

U.S., Niger forces conduct joint mortar training event

Nigerien and U.S. forces mark a series of firsts for Humanitarian Aid operations at Airbase 201

U.S. Naval Forces-Africa continues exercises to test movement of troops across Africa

AFRICOM leader highlights support to African and international partners during Sahel visit

Amb. Young recognized for service as ambassador to Burkina Faso 2016-20

Commander participates in Cutlass Express, JCET opening ceremonies during East Africa trip

U.S. Africa Command leaders including U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, conducted a multi-national East Africa trip, visiting Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Djibouti from July 25-30.

U.S. Africa Command assists Tunisia with COVID-19 response

U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia, provided 310 canisters of oxygen, one million liters in total, to Tunisia, July 26.

U.S. Africa Command leaders visit Mauritania to highlight cooperation and importance of G5 Sahel

A U.S. Africa Command senior leader delegation met with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to discuss the potential for greater partnership and engagement during a visit to the nation’s capital, Nouakchott, July 13-15.

Commander participates in Cutlass Express, JCET opening ceremonies during East Africa trip

U.S. Africa Command assists Tunisia with COVID-19 response

U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia, provided 310 canisters of oxygen, one million liters in total, to Tunisia, July 26.

U.S. Africa Command leaders visit Mauritania to highlight cooperation and importance of G5 Sahel

Commander participates in Cutlass Express, JCET opening ceremonies during East Africa trip

U.S. Africa Command assists Tunisia with COVID-19 response

U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia, provided 310 canisters of oxygen, one million liters in total, to Tunisia, July 26.

U.S. Africa Command leaders visit Mauritania to highlight cooperation and importance of G5 Sahel

United States Africa Command

Military equipment enables the G5 Joint Force Sahel fight against terrorism

The Joint Force’s missions include combating counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, and trafficking in the Sahel, a region that has seen an increase in violence since 2017.

U.S. donates $8M in military equipment to Niger