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The town, which lies close to the three-way border between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, is prone to jihadist attacks from Islamist groups.

For Egypt, the big question is whether Burhan is able to distance himself from Sudan's Islamists.

The rapid growth of construction projects has been attributed to diaspora investments as well as improved security - although Islamist militants who control large swathes of southern Somalia still target the city.

Netanyahu said that Macron had "once again chosen to side with a murderous Islamist terrorist organisation and echo its despicable propaganda, accusing Israel of blood libels".

The Russian mercenary group has been operating there since 2021, working with the military to challenge Islamist militants.