Sweden to send special forces units to Mali for joint anti-terror op with French troops

Sweden’s foreign ministry announced it plans to send up to 150 special forces personnel and helicopters to join a new multinational military mission in Africa’s Sahel region.
“The government has decided to submit a bill to the Riksdag [parliament] proposing Swedish participation” in the France-led special operations Task Force Takuba in Mali, the Monday, March 16. The Swedish contribution is planned to consist of a helicopter-borne rapid reaction force of a maximum of 150 personnel”, the ministry said.
Sweden’s foreign minister Ann Linde said that the plan will also “contribute to the fight against international terrorism and ultimately make Sweden safer”.
The G5 Sahel framework for coordination of regional cooperation was formed in 2014. Its members are Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
France has for months been trying to build support for the new special operations Task Force Takuba, that is expected to be operational by the autumn. In January, France and the Sahel countries have agreed to step up military cooperation to fight the jihadist presence in the region.
So far, Estonia and the Czech Republic have also announced plans to contribute to Takuba. Discussions with Finland and Norway are reportedly ongoing. However, Germany and the US have declined.
Lately, jihadist attacks on civilians and troops have increased amid a growing anti-French sentiment in the Sahel countries, triggered by Paris’ handling of an uprising by fighters that has resulted in hundreds of their soldiers killed. European partners are contributing troops and equipment. France, however, has warned that its allies’ support seems symbolic, compared to its efforts in the region.
In January, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell announced plans for an international conference on security in the Sahel on the margins of the European Council meeting on 26 March.