Germany mulls plans to send troops to Niger

Germany is considering sending military forces to Niger as part of a European Union (EU) mission officially aimed at supporting the African country in the military field.

The 60-soldier force is waiting for final parliament approval in April. The EU member initially planned to send soldiers to Niger back in December 2022 to join the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger (EUMPM Niger).

EUMPM Niger is tasked to help the African nation enhance its military logistics and infrastructure and contribute to the country’s military capacity to combat terrorism over a three-year period.

The EU launched the mission in February and expects to send up to 50-100 in the first stage, and up to 300 at later stages of the operation.

The EUMMP Niger was birthed amid France’s military pullout from several African states, including the Central African Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

Niger is facing insurgency in its western Tillaberi region, near the border with Burkina Faso and Mali. The region has been plagued by insecurity sown by terrorist groups including al Qaeda affiliates.

The Nigerien army is also fighting Boko Haram activists near the border with Nigeria.