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Saturday, August 13, 2022
On Friday a spokesperson for the German defence ministry announced that the country had suspended its involvement in a UN peacekeeping mission to Mali following the failure of local authorities to grant clearance for a civilian aircraft carrying German troops to enter its airspace.
Mali has been struggling against an Islamist insurgency that took root following the Tuareg rebellion in 2012. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel region of West Africa.
Germany has deployed 1,000 troops to Mali as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Mostly based around the northern town of Gao these troops have been tasked to gather reconnaissance for MINUSMA. These operations have now ben suspended with the German defence ministry spokesperson stating the decision has been taken to “suspend until further notice the operations of our reconnaissance forces and CH-53 transport flights”.
Tensions have been seen in recent months between MINUSMA and the Malian authorities, with the Mali government refusing UN calls to allow peacekeepers to investigate human rights abuses. Malian authorities have also banned foreign troops from a UN base within the capital’s airport.
Earlier this year Germany had announced it was drawing down its involvement in a European Union military mission to Mali following France’s withdrawal, but it had continued to supply troops to the UN mission. France and Germany have both expressed concern over the presence of Russian mercenaries in Mali. Members of the Kremlin linked private military company, the Wagner Group, have been aiding the Malian army since late last year.
| such a deployment only makes sense if it has the support of the government there. | ||
German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Germany was willing to continue its participation in MINUSMA, “but such a deployment only makes sense if it has the support of the government there,” he said.