The head of the Francophonie, former Canadian governor general Michaelle Jean, thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday for joining the peacekeeping mission in Mali, which is reeling after yet another deadly attack by Islamic militants.
The attack occurred Sunday and was launched against two bases near Timbuktu, where militants reportedly disguised as peacekeepers set off several suicide bombs and launched rockets at international forces.
One peacekeeper was killed and more than a dozen others, including several French soldiers, were injured.
Jean lamented the attack as she met with Trudeau at the Francophonie’s headquarters in Paris, which the prime minister is visiting this week.
WATCH: 250 Canadian peacekeepers heading to Mali
She went on to thank Canada for agreeing to send forces to Mali, which is a former French colony and current member of the Francophonie, adding: “The Sahel region, for Mali and for all of us, is a question of high importance.”
Mali is expected to come up again later today when Trudeau meets with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has made the African country a priority for his government.
Canada is planning to send six military helicopters to Mali later this year to help with medical evacuations and the transporting of supplies and ammunition. The helicopters will be based in a different location from Sunday’s attack.
Mali is considered the most dangerous peacekeeping mission in the world, with 166 blue helmets killed since 2013, more than half by what the UN calls “malicious acts.”
On Tuesday, Trudeau will become the first Canadian prime minister to address the French National Assembly and the most recent leader to be given that rare opportunity since King Felipe of Spain in June 2015.
His speech is expected to touch on the rise of nationalism, populism and xenophobia, which have become serious concerns in France and other parts of Europe in recent years.
WATCH: Casualties of Mali mission force Liberals to carefully consider dangers of deployment
Much of the prime minister’s two-day visit will also focus on trade as Canada looks to ease its reliance on the U.S. market.
Trudeau’s message will include highlighting the potential benefits of the new Canada-European Union free trade deal, which came into force in September.
On Tuesday night the prime minister will head to London where he will meet with the Queen and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday, then attend a meeting of Commonwealth leaders on Thursday.
He returns to Ottawa on Friday.
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