Europe

Niger says Germany can build military logistics base there

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, left, walks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel before a meeting in Niamey, Niger, Monday Oct. 10, 2016. Niger’s president said Monday that Germany can build a military logistics base in this West African country as it seeks to strengthen its support of the fight against extremism here and in Mali. President Mahamadou Issoufou spoke alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the second leg of her three-nation African visit. (AP Photo/Moctar Ali Tondi) (The Associated Press)

Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, right, during a press briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, in Niamey, Niger, Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. Niger’s president said Monday that Germany can build a military logistics base in this West African country as it seeks to strengthen its support of the fight against extremism here and in Mali. President Mahamadou Issoufou spoke alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the second leg of her three-nation African visit. (AP Photo/Moctar Ali Tondi) (The Associated Press)

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, center left, walk with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center right, after her arrival at the airport in Bamako, Mali, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. German Chancellor Merkel is on a three day tour in Africa, visiting, Mali, Niger, and Ethiopia. (AP Photo/Baba Ahmed) (The Associated Press)

Niger's president says Germany can build a military logistics base in this West African country to strengthen its support of the fight against extremism here and in Mali.

President Mahamadou Issoufou spoke Monday alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the second leg of her three-nation African visit.

Merkel says there is a strong link between illegal migration and the trafficking of arms into conflict zones. She says Germany wants to help combat this by supporting Niger's army with equipment and expertise.

Niger is a major transit point for African migrants making their way north toward Europe.

Niger's president welcomed Germany's cooperation in economic and social development, especially in parts of the country that are transit points for migrants.