Macron pays tribute to French and local troops, shares Xmas dinner in Ivory Coast

Record ID: 1449418

  • Title: Macron pays tribute to French and local troops, shares Xmas dinner in Ivory Coast
  • Date: 20th December 2019
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF FRENCH SOLDIERS WAITING TO MEET MACRON VARIOUS OF MACRON GREETING SOLDIERS MACRON SEATED WITH SOLDIERS SOLDIER SPEAKING / MACRON ASKING QUESTION EXTERIOR OF WHERE MACRON IS SEATED WITH SOLDIERS VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS WAITING FOR MACRON TO GIVE SPEECH MACRON AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "The strategic partnership that we (France and Ivory Coast) have built together since 2012, in mutual respect, is strong and solid. It addresses the priorities of our two countries in the region and France's will to contribute to reinforcing the collective security system in Africa, so as to build peace and lasting security in Africa but also in Europe, because our destinies our linked." MACRON ADDRESSING TROOPS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "Here, I would like to pay tribute, with respect, to the memories of the soldiers from the countries of the Sahel and MINUSMA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali) who died in combat. France, sadly, has also paid a heavy duty. Tonight, with you, my thoughts go out to the 13 soldiers who fell in an operation on November 25th, and to all the wounded comrades, including those in recent weeks." MACRON SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "Barkhane is a vital mission for France. We will continue to fight against jihadist terrorists, we will continue to do it with our African, European and international partners."
  • Embargoed: 3rd January 2020 21:32
  • Keywords: Alassane Ouattara Emmanuel Macron French army French troops Ivory Coast Operation Barkhane Sahel soldiers
  • Location: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
  • City: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA002BAS4XTZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute on Friday (December 20) to fallen French and local troops fighting against Islamist militants in the Sahel region, after meeting soldiers returning from deployment in the region at the Port-Bouet military camp in Ivory Coast.
    France, a former colonial power, is the only Western country with a significant military presence waging counter-insurgency operations in Mali and the wider Sahel region south of the Sahara desert.
    After the death of 13 soldiers in late November, Macron ordered the military to review its operations against Islamist militants in West Africa and pressed his allies to do more.
    France intervened in Mali in 2013 to repel insurgents advancing out of northern strongholds into central Mali. There are now 4,500 French troops in the wider region, as part of "operation Barkhane", named after a crescent-shaped sand dune.
    "Barkhane is a vital mission for France. We will continue to fight against jihadist terrorists, we will continue to do it with our African, European and international partners," Macron said during a speech to French soldiers before sitting down to a Christmas dinner.
    The leaders of five Sahel nations are due to attend a summit in Paris on January 13.
    (Production: Clotaire Achi, Media Coulibaly and Pascale Antonie)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register