The German military has announced the withdrawal of half of its troops previously deployed as part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces in Mali.
A spokesperson for the Operations Command stated on Thursday that approximately 500 personnel remain in Mali and around 100 soldiers are still in neighboring Niger.
The spokesperson added, “More than 50% of the equipment scheduled for return has already arrived in Germany.”
This move comes as the German army has set the goal to conclude its mission in Mali by the end of the current year. The decision follows the request in mid-June by Mali’s military government for the withdrawal of all UN peacekeeping forces, which numbered around 12,000 soldiers.
Prior to this, Mali had intensified cooperation with Russia, and the United Nations Security Council had commenced the termination of the peacekeeping mission known as MINUSMA in Mali.
However, the withdrawal has been complicated due to a military coup in Niger, which shares a border with Mali. The German army maintains an air transport base on the outskirts of Niger’s capital, Niamey.
The federal government has described Niger as an anchor of stability in West Africa, highlighting the challenges faced in the region.
The German retreat marks a significant shift in the international military presence in Mali and reflects broader geopolitical changes in West Africa as countries reassess their involvement in regional security operations.
Last October, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) withdrew its troops following demands by Mali’s ruling military council in 2020.
Decisions by Mali’s ruling military council have accelerated MINUSMA’s departure and resulted in the destruction of equipment left behind in the African country, which has been plagued by jihadist attacks and tensions with Tuareg separatists. The lives of its personnel are also at risk due to the lack of travel permits for air travel.
