Back on August 12, Germany announced it was suspending military operations in Mali, after the Malian government denied them flying rights.
“The Malian government has once again refused to give flyover rights to a flight planned for today”,
stated a spokesman for the German Ministry of Defense on Twitter. Therefore, Berlin decided to suspend operations of reconnaissance forces and CH-53 transport flights. According to a spokesman for Berlin, Germany would only participate in a peacekeeping mission under Malian consent.
“Again those in power in Mali have not allowed the UN MINUSMA mission access to its airspace. A planned rotation of personnel is therefore not possible. That has effects on our engagement, given that the security of our soldiers has the highest priority”,
wrote the Ministry of Defense in Twitter.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visiting German Troops in Mali. Source: @defensenigeria
The German withdrawal comes when the Malian government bans foreign troops in the country, deployed there in order to fight jihadist groups. France and other Western countries have begun to withdraw troops from counterterrorism operations, after almost ten years of being stationed there. This decision taken by Berlin could incite others to withdraw from MINUSMA too.
Germany has done similar things during these weeks. Earlier this month it withdrew around sixty soldiers as a result of a similar dispute. German forces were prevented from boarding a civilian flight by the government. However, Bamako would later reverse the decision. The government has also arrested soldiers from Ivory Coast, accusing them of entering without permission. Ivory Coast also forms part of MINUSMA.
The Malian government has had some tensions with MINUSMA itself, with UN calls to allow freedom of movement for investigating human rights abuses falling on deaf ears. At the same time, it has deepened ties with the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary company.
Mali has been fighting a jihadist insurgency since 2012, when different jihadist groups conquered the northern half of the country. This has resulted in thousands being killed and displaced across the region. Now the insurgency has spread to neighboring countries.
The withdrawal has sparked mixed reactions in Mali. The government has applauded it. However, some in the civil society haven’t.
“This decision is more than regrettable! And it comes at a time when Mali needs international solidarity in the fight against terrorism more than ever”,
said one of a Malian civilian society.
Some in Berlin have also condemned the decision, but blamed the Malian government.
Germany has been participating in MINUSMA, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization in Mali established in 2013 to support the fight against jihadis. Currently, it has one thousand troops deployed in the Sahelian country in the town of Gao. Their main task is to gather reconnaissance for MINUSMA.
All this comes in the midst of the French withdrawal and the rapprochement with Moscow. If they can handle the jihadist threat by themselves with help of the mercenaries, it remains to be seen.
Guillermo is a journalist, writer and independent international analyst. If you like what you read, please support him by donating:
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