Germany stresses security commitment for Sahel region

Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, Wednesday said the European country will use Niger as base as it remains committed to the Sahel region flagged by ramp insecurity.

“Our future military engagement in the Sahel will focus on Niger,” he said as he embarked on a visit to the African country.

“Security in the Sahel region is in Germany’s particular interest. Although we are ending our military engagement with Minusma, we remain engaged in the region,” he added.

Germany in November announced pullout from the UN mission in Mali, in the footstep of France and the UK which have accused Malian authorities of working with Russian mercenaries blamed for crimes on populations.

The pullout is expected to be complete May next year. The European powerhouse is however planning to send military forces to Niger as part of a European Union 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.