Germany, Britain announce withdrawal from Mali earlier than planned

The German government said Tuesday (22 November) that it plans to wind down the country’s participation in a United Nations military mission in Mali by the middle of 2024, following a recent announcement by the British government of the early withdrawal of its military contingent from the West African country.

Tensions have grown between Mali, its African neighbors and the West after Mali’s government allowed mercenaries from the Wagner Group to deploy on its territory. “The Malian soldiers who were so well trained then went out and fought with Russian forces, I don’t know 100% if it was Wagner’s forces every time or not, but they fought with Russian forces and there were also human rights violations,” German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht explained the reasons behind the government decision. “And that can’t be what we’re about. Not just training, no matter what happens afterwards, but acting on principles. And that is why we have ended the training mission,” she added.

German military missions overseas require a mandate from parliament, which is typically granted on an annual basis. The current mandate for Germany’s participation in the UN mission known as MINUSMA allows for the deployment of up to 1,400 troops.

Also, Britain announced last week that it would withdraw its troops from the UN mission in Mali, citing the Mali ruling junta’s decision to use the Russian paramilitary group Wagner. London did not give a timeline for its withdrawal. According to the Ministry of Defense, the commitment was supposed to last three years, but faced with the rising instability in the country, London decided to anticipate the withdrawal of its troops, who should leave the country in the next six months.

France, the main country intervening militarily in Mali, notably through the Barkhane force, announced in February their withdrawal from the country. The last French soldiers left Mali this summer, after nearly a decade-long presence.