defenceWeb
Written by Dean Wingrin -
A French Army Gazelle.
Despite setbacks, France reaffirmed its commitment to intensify its fight against Islamist insurgents in the Sahel region and sees South Africa as an ally in establishing peace in the region.
Speaking by virtual link at the G5 Sahel summit held in N’Djamena, Chad last month, French President Emmanuel Macron noted that recent military achievements over the past year served as an incentive to continue operations, increase commitments from local governments and European allies and create economic opportunities for those living in the region.
Whilst the leaders of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger met in N’Djamena, the European and US participants, amongst others, joined the two-day summit via video conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starlite currently operates three H215s for the European Union mission in West Africa’s Republic of Mali, which aims to restore lasting peace in this country. Two of the three aircraft are used to support the European Union Training Mission (EUTM), and also provide medical evacuation of any EU personnel deployed there.
MEDEVAC pilot Captain Daniel Erasmus and Starlite Flight Physician Dr. Jacqui Amm discuss their daily challenges.
What exactly are you doing to support the European Union Training Mission in Mali?
Captain Daniel Erasmus: Part of the mission is to be on a 24/7 standby and ready to react to any medical emergency. We handle everything from vehicle accidents to inter-hospital transfers and supporting convoy movements between towns. Response time required can range from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the mission; our focus is not only to get the patient from point A to point B, but also to get the medical personnel to the patient as quickly as possible.
Mali: French military operations face growing resistance
The French anti-terror mission Barkhane is losing support in Mali, as reflected in recent protests in the capital, Bamako. Attitudes to the former colonial power are ambivalent amid deteriorating security.
Eight years ago, the French Serval mission was acclaimed in Mali. But things have since changed
Moussa Dicko is angry. Wearing a green T-shirt and sunglasses, he is standing a short distance from Independence Square, a roundabout in the center of Bamako, Mali s capital city. He is one of about 30 young men who came to protest against France s military mission but their demonstration was banned at the last minute.