Germany to fast-track pullout of forces in Mali

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has indicated that the European country wants to remove its troops from Mali more quickly while maintaining order amid calls by Malian authorities for the removal of the UN mission from the country.

Germany has 1,000 soldiers stationed near the northern town of Gao and is assigned to gather reconnaissance for the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA.

Berlin has started pullout of its troops after several western countries accused Malian authorities of collaborating with Wagner private security company, accused of human rights violation in the West African country.

The European economic power house has sought to complete withdrawal by May 2024. However Malian authorities have demanded the UN Security Council to terminate immediately the mandate of MINUSMA that they charge for failing to bring security to the West African country.

The mission was created in 2013 and tasked to stabilize a state under a serious jihadist threat, and to protect civilians.

The latest draft resolution from France on Wednesday, reports say, suggests the Security Council will “terminate MINUSMA’s mandate under resolution 2640 (2022) as of June 30 2023.”

The mission per the draft resolution would cease its activities on July 1 to focus on the withdrawal, “with the objective of completing this process by 31 December 2023”.