The Force Commander (FC), Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim has pledged to sustain the cooperation between MNJTF and Operation Barkhane in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.
Ibrahim stated this during a familiarisation visit by the newly appointed Force Commander of Operation Barkhane, Maj.-Gen. Bruno Baraz to the Headquarters MNJTF in Ndjamena, Chad.
The Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
The MNJTF force commander congratulated the new Op Barkhane commander and appreciated the existing cooperation between them.
He commended Op Barkhane for their stabilising role and fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.
In his remarks, the FC Operation Barkhane, Maj.-Gen. Baraz appreciated MNJTF for their efforts, which he said had to a large extent, brought stability to the MNJTF area of operations.
Baraz expressed desire to work closely with MNJTF and other partners to achieve the collective mission of restoring peace in the region.
Operation Barkhane is a French-led anti-insurgency operation that started in 2014 against Islamist groups in the Sahel region.
The MNJTF spokesman also disclosed that the outgoing Commander, Sector 1 MNJTF (Cameroon), Brig.-Gen. Bouba Debekreo also presented his successor, Col. Pierre Tiokap, to the MNJTF.
Adogoke said the outgoing Commander thanked the FC for his support and guidance and requested for same cooperation to his successor.
“The FC in his remarks praised the outgoing Sector 1 Commander who has been a founding commander of the MNJTF since the inception of the Force in 2015.
“He praised his professionalism and wished him well in his new assignment while also urging the new Commander to do same.
“The new commander said he is happy to join the team and would work collaboratively to achieve the mission of the MNJTF,’’ he said.