The number of German soldiers within the MINUSMA must go from 1,100 to 1,400, in particular to compensate for the departure of French forces.
Le Monde with AFP
Germany is ready to increase its military contingent present in Mali as part of the United Nations mission, MINUSMA, a government spokesperson announced on Wednesday May 11. “The current number of 1,100 soldiers was increased by 300” and brought to an authorized ceiling of 1,400, in particular to compensate for the departure of the French forces, said during a regular press point Christiane Hoffmann. She was expressed after a meeting of the Council of Ministers who ratified the extension of the mandate until May 31, 2023. The German deputies still have to give the green light to this decision.
The German army was until April engaged in Mali through two missions: 328 soldiers participate in the training mission of the European Union in Mali (EUTM) and around 1,100 at the Minusma. But the European Union stopped the army and the National Guard training in April. This training mission will however resume elsewhere in the Sahel, “emphasizing Niger,” said the spokesperson. The future of MINUSMA itself does not seem completely guaranteed after the withdrawal of French forces, recognized M me hoffmann.
Several countries have undertaken to re -examine their participation in MINUSMA. Westerners denounce in particular the presence of mercenaries of the Russian group Wagner, who came to Mali at the call of the junta. In this country where the violence of jihadist groups and militias have killed thousands of people since 2012, the soldiers took power during two coups in August 2020 and then in May 2021.