They say they’re echoing the call by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The ceasefire call comes from French Foreign Minister Yves le Drian and his counterparts from Germany  Heiko Maas and Italy Luigi Di Mayo.

EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell has endorsed the call which was spurred by the refusal of Tripoli’s  Government of National Accord led by Fayez Al Sarraj to accept an EU blockade of Libya to enforce the United Nations arms embargo.

The government, which is backed by the UN, says the naval action has failed to stop weapons getting through to rebels led by Khalifa Haftar who are bent on occupying the capital. 

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There’s no suggestion of  France’s operation Burkhane being terminated.

But Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian says it cannot last an eternity.

French troops intervened Mali six years ago to drive out Al Qaeda forces that had seized control of half the country.

There are still 4 500 French troops there. 

France also provides military basic against Islamist militants in Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Mauritania. The so-called G5

Foreign Minister Jean Yves le Drian tells the parliamentary foreign affairs committee in Paris that countries of Sahel should not stay in the comfort zone of thinking that Burkhane is forever behind them.

African security in the longer term will have to be secured by African nations themselves.

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The minister’s meeting representatives of the 400 French companies operating in South Africa and providing  37 000 jobs.

The agreement involving the KwaZulu/Natal Sharks Board helping the tourist-dependent island of Reunion was one of five signed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian after his talks in Pretoria with his South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu.

These include agreements on space exploration and join funding of bursaries allowing South African masters students to study in France.

France will also help the Industrial Development Corporation promote gender equality in the workplace and empower women entrepreneurs 

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A number of bilateral agreements will be signed after the meeting.

Bilateral relations between France and South Africa were upgraded during then President Jacob Zuma’s state visit to France in 2016.

This is the first time that the joint forum will take place at ministerial level.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian and his host Lindiwe Sisulu will strive to strengthen and deepen political and economic relations between France and South Africa.

They’ll discuss issues of African significance and global governance including reform of the United Nations and the international financial institutions.

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It involves troops from Burundi and Gabon who have been confined to to their camps while the probe is underway.

ends into

The events reported to the U.N. by a U.S.-based advocacy group, AIDS-Free World’s Code Blue Campaign, allegedly occurred  between 2013 and 2015.

UN troops , non UN personnel and local militia are said to be implicated.

Allegations have also made against the French Sangaris forces in the same area.

Visiting the capital Bangui French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says his country has achieved its objective of restoring security to the CAR and  will end its military intervention there this year.

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