The FC-G5S Sahel Joint Task Force is an attempt (heavily influenced and supported by France) to counter terrorism and transnational organized crime in the Sahel region of Africa. In the media this organization is referred to in several different ways. It appears that the official name is Force Conjointe du G5 Sahel (FC-G5S) or in English – Group of Five Sahel Joint Force.
The Threat. Several insurgent and terrorist groups operate in the Sahel region. This area of Africa is huge – almost 3,000 miles wide. Some insurgent organizations are linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State. The biggest groups appear to be the Nigeria-based Boko Haram (SOF News) and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
G5 Sahel Member Nations. Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania are the nations working together to establish the “FC-G5S” military organization. The actual number of the multinational force is reported to be about 5,000 military and police personnel.
United Nations. In June 2017 the UN Security Council adopted a resolution (2359) that welcomed the deployment of the FC-G5S and endorsed the joint force’s strategic concept of operations. [1] The resolution also urged the joint force to coordinate with the MINUSMA [2] and French forces in the region. The UN is considering expanding the mandate of the MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in Mali – and possibly establishing a UN support office for logistics assistance. MINUSMA has a limited mandate and cannot take offensive action.
French Support. France is a huge supporter of the G5 Sahel – providing funding, logistical support, and air capability. The French operation in this region of Africa is known as Operation Barkhane. It consists of approximately 4,000 personnel. In addition, it has fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft both transport and combat.
U.S. Funding. The United States has pledge to provide $60 million to support the Group of Five Sahel Force. The funding pledge was announced on Monday, October 30, 2017, by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The funding would be provided on a bilateral basis – meaning it wouldn’t be channeled through a UN funding mechanism.
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Endnotes:
[1] See an explanation of UN Resolution 2359 (2017) in a UN Security Council press release (21 June 2017). www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc12881.doc.htm
[2] United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.
References:
G5 Sahel. https://www.g5sahel.org
“The Joint Force of the G5 Sahel”, Accord.org.za, September 18, 2018.
“Understanding the G5 Sahel Joint Force”, Center for Strategic & International Studies, November 15, 2017.
Map: Map derived from CRS TE10044 Dec 2019.
