The EU ends its military training mission in Mali. Reason: There are “insufficient guarantees” that the Russian mercenary group Wagner will not intervene in the conflict, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
The EU halts practical training for security forces in West African Mali. There are insufficient guarantees from the Malian interim government that there will be no interference from the Russian mercenary company Wagner, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg. Wagner is responsible for events in which dozens of people have recently been killed.
However, according to Borrell, the EU will remain in the country to provide security forces with strategic advice and to teach them the rules of warfare. “Soldiers need to know what is allowed and what is not allowed,” he said of the future focus of the EUTM training operation.
France also ends anti-terrorist operation
France and several partners had already announced in February that they would end their military anti-terrorist operation in Mali – also because the current transitional government is working with Russian mercenaries. Since then, there has also been intensive discussion in the EU as to how to proceed with the EUTM training mission for the country’s armed forces and national guard. At least 300 Bundeswehr soldiers were also involved in it.
In Mali, with its around 20 million inhabitants, the military overthrew the interim government in May last year, which was supposed to be in office until the elections on February 27, 2022. Putschist leader Assimi Goïta had himself proclaimed the new interim president. From the point of view of critics, he has been delaying the necessary preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections since then. EU chief diplomat Borrell said the EU hoped that an agreement could be reached on elections.
Baerbock in Mali and Niger
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is visiting the West African crisis states of Mali and Niger from Tuesday. According to a spokesman for the Federal Foreign Office, the Green politician is planning to hold talks with interim President Goïta and Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop in Mali’s capital, Bamako. Baerbock also wants to meet with representatives of the EU training mission EUTM and the UN stabilization mission Minusma. Baerbock plans to fly to neighboring Niger on Wednesday.
Source: Stern
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