Without the support of the Malian government, leaving the country could be complicated. Everything should now be discussed in detail.
The military rulers in West African Mali have promised Defense Minister Boris Pistorius support for the forthcoming withdrawal of German blue helmets by May 2024.
At the same time, the SPD politician and Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara declared that cooperation between the states should continue even after German participation in the UN mission Minusma. “We have offered the Malian side that we personally disclose our withdrawal plans so that they know what steps this will take,” Pistorius said. “Thankfully, the Malian side has promised me any support in the withdrawal of our armed forces.” He is very grateful for that.
“There will continue to be bilateral projects”
More than 1,100 men and women from the Bundeswehr are currently stationed in Mali as part of the UN mission. With the withdrawal, Germany is also drawing consequences from a long-running dispute over stricter restrictions imposed by the government in Bamako on UN soldiers. At the same time, the military rulers who came to power in a coup sought cooperation with Russia in the fight against Islamist terrorists. But they also want Germany to continue to provide military advisers and equipment – but negotiated between states, not at UN or EU level. Previously there had been serious conflicts with France.
“We just had a very intensive conversation, a very friendly, open conversation,” said Pistorius at the end of the meeting with Camara. It was partly conducted in private. “There will continue to be bilateral projects and we will continue to work to ensure that the region gets and keeps the stability it needs in the interest of the whole region,” he said.
“It makes sense to continue to be there”
The Malian defense minister spoke of an exchange “on the issues that affect our two countries and may also concern us”. He had received assurances that the withdrawal would not mean the end of bilateral cooperation, that it would be coordinated and “taking Mali’s security needs into account”.
Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) emphasized the role of ongoing development aid in Mali. “It makes sense to continue to be there,” Schulze said on Deutschlandfunk on Friday during the joint visit with Pistorius. “It’s true that terrorism is on the rise here. And that’s why we have to help remove the breeding ground for this terrorism.”
The education of young people must be promoted and job prospects created, for example in agriculture. To this end, the federal government will continue to work together with local authorities and non-governmental organizations, emphasized Schulze. “We work very close to the population.”
Source: Stern
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