Macron eyes new ties with Africa to better tackle terrorism, migration

PARIS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday stressed the need to forge new relationship with African partners, mainly those of the Sahel region, based on common security interests to better fight terrorism and tackle migrant flows to ensure calm at home.

"We can effectively battle against terrorism and protect our citizens only if we have an effective action with the Sahel," Macron told France 2 TV in an interview.

He stressed that "working for a new relationship with Africa is essential to avoid migration."

After visiting Mali twice since he took office office in May, Macron said he is to travel to Niger by the end of the year to bolster common defense and military action so as to eradicate insurgents in the Sahel region that push thousands to flee war and seek refuge in European doors.

Earlier this week, Macron received the leaders of the G5 participating countries: Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad. Germany, Italy as well as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates joined the meeting to seek ways to avoid the coalition budget shortfall.

Macron and West African leaders announced in July the creation of G5 Sahel, a new multinational military block to uproot Islamist insurgents. Enditem