Security, peacekeeping hot topic at PM’s first summit of la Francophonie
OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau has returned from his first visit to Africa as prime minister, but the issue of security on the continent will continue to dominate as he prepares to reveal the location for the promised UN peacekeeping mission.
“It is a question that needs to be taken seriously, based on facts and engagement with our allies and our partners,” Trudeau said Sunday in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where he led the Canadian delegation to the summit of la Francophonie.
Trudeau has tasked Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, who recently travelled through Africa on a fact-finding mission, with preparing a recommendation on where Canada should deploy up to 600 troops and about 150 police officers it has promised to contribute — at a cost of $450 million — to a UN peacekeeping mission.
“We need to make sure that Canada is having the best possible impact and that’s what Canadians expect a government to take seriously,” said Trudeau, who said to expect a decision within the coming days or weeks.