Withdrawal of the Bundeswehr from Mali?
In Berlin there is growing pressure for a quick review of the current operations of a total of 1200 German soldiers in Mali, West Africa. Reason: Apparently Russian mercenaries now want to get more involved in the region.
Against this background, the Chancellor candidates from the Union and the Greens question the Bundeswehr’s mission in Mali.
► “If Russian mercenaries are actually involved there, that calls into question the basis of the mission,” said Union candidate Armin Laschet (60, CDU) in advance of “Welt am Sonntag”.
► The Chancellor candidate of the Greens, Annalena Baerbock (40), spoke plainly: “If the Malian military government now makes common cause with Russian mercenaries, the training for the Malian military must in any case be suspended,” Baerbock told the Augsburgers General Newspaper ”.
Background: The Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defense informed the representatives in the Bundestag on Friday that the Malian leadership, which had come to power in a military coup, was negotiating with Russian actors.
Subject of the talks: Apparently Russian mercenaries from the Wagner military company are supposed to support the Malian military government with training and personal protection. To put it plainly: According to French sources, the military junta ruling Mali could instruct the Russian Wagner mercenaries to train the Malian armed forces. France therefore threatened to withdraw its soldiers.
Laschet: “Need a decision soon”
Laschet demanded: “We need all the information here quickly and then a decision soon.” The federal government had already expressed concern beforehand.
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (59) had emphasized that the use of mercenaries was not in line with the goals of the international mission in Mali – and threatened with consequences. The Bundeswehr is involved in two international missions in Mali with up to 1,700 soldiers to stabilize the Sahel state threatened by Islamist rebels. The Bundeswehr is currently involved in training the Malian armed forces.
The defense commissioner Eva Högl (SPD) told the newspapers of the Funke media group: “We have to answer the question of whether the goal of ensuring stability in the country, among other things, is still realistic.” To review the mandate for the Bundeswehr mission.
Notorious Russian mercenary group
The Russian mercenary group Wagner is notorious for its operations, including in Syria and the Central African Republic. The French government accuses it of robbery and other illegal activities.
Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU) told the “Augsburger Allgemeine”: “Mali is one of the poorest and driest countries in the world.” The people there are particularly hard hit by “terrorism” and climate change. The federal government will therefore in any case continue to provide aid that is independent of the local military government.
Regardless of the commitment of the European Union and the UN, the military in Mali have put into coups twice since 2020, replacing a corrupt and largely unsuccessful government. A transition period for new elections runs until February 2022 – and the military leadership is delaying preparations.
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