This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-50800871

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
West African leaders meet over Niger army base attack Niger army base attack: West African leaders call for more help
(about 20 hours later)
Leaders from west African countries fighting the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel have held a short prayer service in Niger beside the graves of 71 soldiers who were killed last week during an attack on a military camp. Five West African leaders have appealed for greater international help to combat militant Islamists following the killing of 71 soldiers in Niger.
They were buried on Friday inside a military base close to the capital Niamey. Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou said the militants had become "professionals in the art of war".
The Islamic State (IS) group said it carried out the attack. The Islamic State (IS) group said it killed the soldiers during an attack on a military base in western Niger.
A regional force, helped by French troops, is battling the jihadists. The soldiers were buried on Friday inside a military base close to the capital Niamey.
Analysts say the insurgency waged in the Sahel by militants linked to IS and al-Qaeda is escalating at an alarming rate despite the presence of thousands of troops. The leaders held a short prayer service beside the graves of the soldiers.
They included President Issoufou, and the leaders of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Mauritania - the G5 Sahel nations bearing the brunt of attacks by militants linked to IS and al-Qaeda.
Last week's attack in Niger's western town of In Ates was described as the deadliest raid against the Nigerien military in living memory.Last week's attack in Niger's western town of In Ates was described as the deadliest raid against the Nigerien military in living memory.
The presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania and Chad will be holding a crisis meeting amidst the deteriorating security situation after the deaths of more than 230 soldiers over the last four months. Mr Issoufou said the threat posed by the militants was getting worse.
The 71 soldiers killed in In Ates were part of the G5 Sahel regional force, which is supported by 4,500 French troops. "The demands we are making to the international community are justified. Firstly, because it is responsible for what is happening to us because of its disastrous decision to intervene in Libya.
The five-nation counter insurgency force was launched four years ago when almost all the attacks by the Islamist militants were in Mali. "Next, because security is a public good, the people of the Sahel, our people, must not be alone in bearing the heavy cost of this war," he added.
But since then the area affected by the violence has grown significantly and spread to neighbouring countries. That's partly because the regional force is under equipped and many of the soldiers are poorly trained. Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said there was a need to step up cooperation among regional states.
"These endless attacks carried out by terrorist groups in our region remind us not only of the gravity of the situation, but also the urgency for us to work more closely together," said Mr Kabore, the current chair of the G5 Sahel nations.
The five countries have a counter-insurgency force, supported by 4,500 French troops, to fight the militants.
It was launched four years ago when almost all the attacks by the Islamist militants were in Mali.
But since then the area affected by the violence has grown significantly and spread to neighbouring countries, partly because the regional force is under-equipped and many of the soldiers are poorly trained.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in: