According to Africa News website, after a meeting with Niger’s Presiden Mohamed Bazoum, the UN secretary general said that the countries of the world must fully invest to strengthen the skills of the national army.

He noted that Niger’s armed forces need training and equipment to better confront radical groups.

Guterres, who demanded that the imposed military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea return power to civilian governments, said that peace and stability in Niger are a priority for the United Nations.

Niger, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad are members of the so-called G-5 Sahel group, which fights extremist groups such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and Boko Haram, as well as criminal gangs.

For his part, President Bazoum agreed with Guterres that, due to the presence of terrorist groups, Niamey must invest substantial resources in order to recruit more soldiers, train them and better equip them.

After visiting Senegal and Niger, Guterres will pay a visit to Nigeria, where, among other activities, he will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.

pgh/aph/jcm/obf