Joint Communiqué by Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Chad on G5-Sahel
On 5 December, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Chad released a joint communiqué taking note of and respecting the sovereign decision of the sisterly republics of Burkina Faso and Niger to withdraw from the G-5 Sahel bodies.
The communiqué specifies that all necessary measures, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention Concerning the Creation of the G-5 Sahel, particularly in article 20, will be implemented.
Below is the full text of this communiqué:
“For more than a decade, our sub-region has been facing an asymmetrical, cross-border war that is as serious as it is dramatic.
In a context of real concerns and sustained violence, our brotherly and friendly countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad) created, on 15 January 2014, in Nouakchott, the G-Sahel, to address, in solidarity, thedual challenge of security and development which seriously threatened the stability of the sub-region.
The ambition of our young joint organization was structured around a strategic triptych: strengthening security and stability in the Sahel region, protecting civilian populations, and promoting economic and social development.
To this end, several initiatives have been launched to achieve the three strategic objectives indicated above:
– The G-S Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S) responsible for fighting against armed terrorist groups and those of organized crime;
– The Cross-Border Cooperation Program (PCT) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the countries of the Sahel in the areas of security, justice, health, and development;
– The Regional Counter-Terrorism Training Center (CRF-LT) whose objective is to train the security forces of Sahel countries in the fight against terrorism;
– The Defense College, a true transnational war school, dedicated to training senior executives of the armed forces.
Since the announcement, in May 2022, of the decision of the sisterly Republic of Mali to withdraw from the bodies of our organization, we have spared no effort to overcome the crisis caused by this situation and give substance to an exemplary cooperation framework.
On 1 December 2023, the sisterly Republics of Burkina Faso and Niger decided to withdraw their countries from all bodies of the G-S Sahel, including the Joint Force.
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Chad take note and respect the sovereign decision of the sisterly republics of Burkina Faso and Niger.
To this end, the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the country holding the Presidency in Office of the G5-Sahel, and the Republic of Chad, member of this organization, while reaffirming their attachment to the ideals of African regional integration and the objectives of the G-5 Sahel which, despite the difficulties and the various contingencies, will have served as a relevant mechanism and an effective instrument of cooperation between the armed and security forces of the sub-region, will implement all the necessary measures in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the Creation of the G-5 Sahel, particularly in its article 20.
However, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Chad intend to continue their efforts, with all the countries of the Sahel, to meet the challenges facing the region.
The two countries take this opportunity to thank the technical and financial partners for their constant support to the G-5 Sahel and its member states.
Done in Nouakchott and Ndjamena, on 6 December 2023.
For the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Republic
For the Republic of Chad, His Excellency the Army General, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Transitional President, Head of State.