Published on :
The new commander of the Barkhane force, General Bruno Baratz, has just completed a 48-hour visit to Benin, where he arrived on Tuesday. Benin, like several countries in the sub-region, is facing terrorist attacks by armed groups in the north. The French officer came to explain the new philosophy of defense partnerships. The French army will support, accompany, but will no longer be in the front line.
With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan
Barkhane’s boss arrived with General Étienne du Peyroux, commander of the French elements in Senegal. According to our information, the two generals came to explain the new directions of military cooperation. The French army no longer wishes to be in the front line. The new defense partnership will be devoted to training, air support and intelligence.
Meet the French instructors
Generals Baratz and Du Peyroux met the Benin Defense Minister, the head of the army and the number two in President Talon’s military cabinet. They made a round trip to the garrison of the 7th battalion of the Beninese army, 628 km north of Cotonou where about forty French instructors form sections.
On July 27 in Cotonou, Emmanuel Macron and Patron Talon gave new directions on the defense partnership. A French mission from the Directorate General for Armaments also visited Benin a few days ago to help the Beninese to structure their purchasing functions.
► To read also: Guest Africa – Attacks in the Sahel: “This is confirmation of the expansion of jihadist areas of influence”