French and UK join forces in Liberia
A team of French and British soldiers have trained soldiers of the Liberian Armed Forces ahead of their UN peacekeeping mission in Mali.
The training was conducted by the British infantry specialists, French combat engineers and combat rescuers of the detachment of French elements in Senegal.
The 49 Liberian soldiers will soon go to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, know as MINUSMA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali).
The Mission focuses on ensuring security, stabilization and protection of civilians.
The Sahel region is one of Africa’s poorest and most fragile regions. It is marked by chronic poverty, the governments are not stable and there are high levels of gender inequality and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).
The UK is currently contributing to UN peacekeeping operations across the region increasing the chance of international peace, security and stability.
The UK Armed Forces already contribute large numbers to UN Missions around the world, soon the British Army will deploy to Mali, further supporting the fight against extremism in the region.
During the training, the trainees learned to counter improvised explosive devices, developed their knowledge about the dangers of other conventional explosive devices, like mines.
“…to react to an ambush or in case of an attack on the base, to patrol, to organise and manage check-points - In all these domains, we trained the Liberians well.” — Captain Alex, Light Dragoons.
They were also trained in first aid measures including tourniquets, compression bandages and to extract the wounded under enemy fire.
Finally, the soldiers of the British detachment trained them in infantry combat.
As a leading military power, the UK Armed Forces regularly train, mentor and advise other forces ahead of them deploying on missions, further strengthening our relationships across the world — helping to make the world a safer, more stable place.
