German chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday 10th October 2016 visited Mali and Niger within the framework of an African toured aimed at searching investments and supporting military in an effort to fight terrorism.
Apart from searching new opportunities in which Germany could stimulate growth and development in Africa, German chancellor noted security challenges plagued by terrorists groups.
For example, Merkel noted the issue of smuggling in the two West African countries sating her country is ready to work on stepping up security in Niger and Mali to stop the smugglers who use the use the two countries to smuggle migrants to Europe.
West African is also the bastion of the Islamic State militants and the Al Qaeda.
Nigerien army has been struggling to battle Boko Haram affiliated to the Islamic State militant group in the south of the country near the Nigerian border.
Niger authorities fears that the Islamic State fighters fleeing the intensified fight by the Libyan army might have settled in their country.
Mali is also struggling with sporadic terror attacks. Only last week, at least 22 army soldiers were killed when a Malian refugee camp was attacked at Tassalit, located North of Niger.
