Germany’s Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has said that Berlin’s troops will remain in Mali until the 2024 elections, setting out the conditions for a continued deployment.
Lambrecht said that the German government is committed to stabilising the country and supporting the Malian government in its efforts to restore democracy. She added that the German government will also continue to provide development assistance to help improve the living conditions of the people of Mali.
The Bundeswehr is Germany’s armed forces. They are currently deployed in Mali but are scheduled to be pulled out by that date at the latest. More than 1,100 members of the Bundeswehr are currently deployed in Mali. The main task of the Bundeswehr in Mali is to provide training and advice to the Malian armed forces in their fight against Islamist terrorists.
During talks with her counterpart Sadio Camara in Bamako, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer demanded unhindered work by German reconnaissance drones as well as adherence to the timetable for presidential elections in February 2024.
Kramp-Karrenbauer said that Germany would only intensify its cooperation with Mali if the Malian government meets these two conditions. She also said that the German government is ready to provide more support to the Malian army in its fight against Islamist extremists.
This prerequisite is necessary for us to remain engaged in Mali, Lambrecht said. Our intention is to do it this way so that we can stay focused and committed to our work here. Lambrecht emphasised that this is not only a requirement for us, but also a way to show our dedication to the people and country of Mali.
Germany’s decision to eventually pull out of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali came after constant friction between the Malian government, which came to power in a military coup, and the UN mission.
Germany had been one of the main contributors to the UN mission, and its decision to pull out will likely have a significant impact on the mission’s effectiveness.
The UN mission has been criticised for not doing enough to prevent the violence in Mali, and Germany’s decision to pull out may further undermine the mission’s ability to achieve its goals.
Before Germany, France, Britain and Denmark had already announced the withdrawal of their own troops from Mali, it was clear that the country was in a state of flux. With the recent addition of German troops, the country now has a chance to reclaim its stability.
However, it is still early days and the country faces many challenges. The first is to ensure that the Malian army is up to the task of retaking control of the country. They will need to be properly trained and equipped in order to do so.
Additionally, the Malian government will need to put in place a plan to address the root causes of the instability in the country, such as poverty and lack of opportunity. If the Malian government can address these root causes, then the country has a good chance of returning to peace and stability.
However, it will not be easy to address these problems, and the government will need significant help from the international community.