France is considering delivery of drones and other sophisticated weaponries to Benin to help confront a heightening Islamist insurgency in the country.
Reuters report that President Emmanuel Macron made the pledge on Wednesday during a joint press conference with President Patrice Talon on the second leg of his three-nation tour of Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.
Benin, alongside the Gulf of Guinea states Togo and Ivory Coast, has seen increasing attacks from militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State as violence spreads south from the Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Benin and Togo have suffered lethal attacks in recent times as France is withdrawing thousands of troops from Mali after a long stay there and looking to redefine its tactic to fight insurgents in region
According to the report, the main focus of the new strategy is “to help the countries strengthen their armies, provide support and allow them to take the lead in operations on the ground. Countries that request it could have French troops on the ground.”
Macron said France is already providing Benin with intelligence, training support, and other civilian aid to help uncover areas that are vulnerable jihadist threats.
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