The Norwegian government has told French authorities that Norway will not send troops to the French-led Task Force Takuba in Mali.
Norway, along with several other European countries, received a request from the French and Malian authorities to contribute to a new multinational force in Mali called Takuba. The force will drive capacity building and strengthen the Malian army’s ability to deal with the growing terror threat in the area, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence said on 23 March.
Takuba is linked to the French Barkhane operation in the Sahel region.
“We are concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Sahel and understand well the need to establish Task Force Takuba. The Government has carefully considered this and consulted the Storting [supreme legislature of Norway]. As we lack support in the Storting, we have come to the conclusion that Norway will not join this force now,” said Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen.
The Minister of Defence said it may be appropriate to re-evaluate the issue at a later date.
