A Canadian diplomat, who was captured by al -Qaeda terrorists in the desert for 130 days, says that the promise of increasing Canada's defense should be included in the promise of increasing Islamic. Terrorism The danger in Africa – a threat he says is not getting the attention he deserves.
Robert Fuler says that the groups that have taken the roots will be “a great and serious effort” to eliminate them West Africa Sohail region – especially Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali – and US military officials say they are fighting to access the West Coast, which will increase their ability to invade North America.
In an interview to Mercedes Stephenson on Sunday, he told Mercedes Stephenson, “We cannot say that he will refrain from what he is doing. Westblock.
“They are deep, completely determined and clearly ready to die in this commitment. So they will need a great and serious effort to eliminate them, because they will not be convinced.”
Fuler, the longest time in the United Nations, the Canadian ambassador and the adviser to the three former prime ministers, in December 2008, occupied the Islamic West (AQIM) terrorist group with militants while serving as a UN special environment for Niger.
In April, he was released along with other Western kidnappers.
Since then, the presence of Akim and other Islamic militant groups in the Sohail region has only increased, in which attacks have been carried out against civilians, while it has widely claimed the area.
Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are currently the rule of military aggression, who took power through uprising in the last two years, which has different degrees of Islamic influence.
According to the first five months of this year, about 5,000 5,000 civilians have been killed in violence in these three countries. Location of armed conflict and event data projectAn increase of 25 % from the last five months.
Experts like Fuler say that in recent months, the region has created a power gap due to the loss of French and US militants.
Get Breaking National News
Sign up to break the news warnings when you directly influenced the news in Canada and all over the world, when you directly with you.
Michael Langley, commander of the American Africa Command, Told reporters last week That the US military's withdrawal from Niger and an important counter -terrorism base last September means that it has lost our ability to closely monitor these terrorist groups, “because violent attacks in Sohail continue to grow in both frequency and complexity.
He added that US forces “stand” with local militants in Ghana, Kot de Ivar, and Benin to prevent these groups from reaching their coast.
“If they gain access to the coast, they can finance their work through smuggling, human trafficking and arms trade,” Langley said at a media briefing.
“This not only pose a threat to African countries, but also increases the possibility of risks to the US coast.”
Canada also faces this threat, especially in the name of groups like al -Qaeda and Dawlat -e -Islami, the danger of violence, Fular said.
“I think it is fair to say that Islamic terrorism has not been defeated,” he said.
“Whatever success we had in Iraq, and the success we had in Afghanistan, did not abolish the jihadist movement in any way, and therefore we have to be very vigilant.”
He added that Western governments are not ready to commit the necessary investment and military capabilities to eliminate these risks in Africa.
“Whatever they should do, they will not do for all kinds of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with Africa,” he said. “There are other issues and other concerns, and everyone needs money for these different things, and it does not leave much for Africa.
“Frenchmen had 5,000 top line soldiers for years, and they couldn't do it. It will take longer than that. But no, I don't think we have it.”
Canada's new African strategy, released in March, Million for “Peace and Security” projects over 30 million In other areas affected by Sohail and Sudan, but are primarily focused on humanitarian aid and civilian support.
Canadian forces abolished their peace mission in Mali in 2023 and otherwise has increased their presence in the continent.
Prime Minister Mark Karni has pledged to strengthen border security, increase the screening of entry points under the previous Liberal Government and promise to break against illegal crossing and smuggling.
The African threat should encourage the Canadian government to spend “a lot” on defense, which he said has been “tragic” for years, Fuler said.
Carney has pledged to achieve Canada's defense spending by 2030 at the target of two percent of NATO GDP, and the Liberal platform has promised $ 30 million in the next four years. The government spent more than 1.3 % last year.
“We don't have to think about good things about President Trump, but that does not mean that when he criticizes our defense performance, they are not wrong,” said Fularer.
“She's fine: we have been getting a free ride for years, especially in the continental defense.”
When he didn't go so far as to recommend the Canada sign -in Trump's “Golden Dome” space -based missile defense conceptFuler said it is “irrational” that Canada is not part of the current US ballistic missile defense measures and similar programs.
“We have to make a lot of Americans believe that we are doing our job, that we are independent and are determined to remain, because I think Canadians deserve such defense in their area,” he said.
When asked what he would advise Carney, Fuler said straightforward: “Sign in.”
And copy 2025 Global News, a division of Coros Entertainment Inc.