NAN – The French army official said that a detachment of 10 military personnel had been stationed in Diffa at the request of Niger, its former colony.
“The detachment is there to coordinate the armies on the ground in the fight against Boko Haram,” he said.
The African Union (AU) has authorised a force of 7,500 troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin to fight the militants.
It is expected to seek a UN Security Council mandate, which could also include logistical support from other countries.
Meanwhile, a Nigerien government official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the parliament in Niamey would vote on Monday on sending its troops to Nigeria.
President Francois Hollande said Paris was also providing logistical and operation support, including delivering fuel and munitions to countries fighting Boko Haram.
He said France could not be expected to get involved in every crisis around the world and accused other major powers of inaction in Africa.
“This is a message to the international community and the biggest countries. Do your work and stop giving lessons and take action!” he said.
“In Africa, we have to help the Africans a lot more to fight terrorism, because if we do not, then other countries will be destabilised,” he added.
