Minister Sajjan Visits Mali and Senegal
News Release
November 9, 2016 — Ottawa, ON — National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to multilateralism and re-engagement in peace operations during a productive visit to Mali and Senegal.
During his travels, Minister Sajjan met Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and Senegalese President Macky Sall as well as several ministers from both countries, senior government officials, foreign ambassadors, and representatives from the United Nations.
Canada values the rich and deep relationship it enjoys with its African partners and recognizes the importance of a strong African voice in addressing global peace and security, particularly in the context of security challenges facing the continent. Minister Sajjan welcomed this opportunity to advance Canada’s defence relationship with Mali and Senegal and discuss how Canada could support peace and stability in the region.
These engagements build on recent discussions in August between Minister Sajjan and other African leaders, as well as the Minister’s visit to the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York last month. This is the Minister’s second fact-finding trip to Africa and will be used to build upon his understanding of the ‘ground truth’ as Canada continues to investigate how it can contribute to international peace and security with a whole-of-government approach.
The Government of Canada recently announced a commitment of up to 600 Canadian Armed Forces members for deployment on UN peace support operations. Canada intends to provide support for UN peace operations across a full spectrum of activities, including direct involvement in peacekeeping missions, training and assistance for conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities, and development assistance.
The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is currently visiting Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia, where he is meeting with senior government officials and working to strengthen Canada’s bilateral relations with the African nations. The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, also recently visited Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso in September. During the trip, Minister Bibeau expressed Canada’s desire for political engagement in Africa with its West African partners.
Quote
“As Canada continues to assess how we can make the most noteworthy contribution to international peace and security, we continue to carefully examine the security situation in Africa. These visits, along with those of my cabinet colleagues, are invaluable in providing us with the information we need about the region and the challenges it is facing from a peace and security standpoint.”
– Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan
Quick Facts
Mali
- On November 6, Minister Sajjan met with the President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, followed by a meeting with his counterpart Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga, the Minister of National Defense and Veterans Affairs, Salif Traoré, the Minister of Internal Security and Civil Protection, and Major General Didier Dacko, the Chief of the Defense Staff. Minister Sajjan also attended a reception in the evening with ambassadors from several countries that are contributing troops to peace support operations. During the reception he also met with heads of the EU Training Mission in Mali, EU Capacity Building Mission in Mali, and representatives from the French counter-terrorism Operation Barkhane.
- On November 7, Minister Sajjan held meetings with representatives from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and participated in a working lunch with NGO representatives from key partners in Canadian development programs.
Senegal
- The day continued in Senegal where Minister Sajjan met with the country’s President, Macky Sall, Prime Minister Modibo Keita, the Minister of Defense, Augustin Tine, and the Minister of the Interior, Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo. He also participated in a reception on board a French Navy ship to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Verdun and gathered with ambassadors from Canada, France, USA, and the UN. The Minister wrapped up his visit bymeeting with a group of academics from leading think tanks.
- 30 -
Contacts
Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
Search for related information by keyword