German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses troops in Gao, Mali.after a decade-long mission, with the withdrawal to be completed by May 2024, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The future of the German mission has been in doubt for a while due to recurring disputes with the ruling military junta in Bamako and the arrival of Russian forces in Gao, which added to Berlin’s unease over an increasing Russian military presence in Mali. “In particular, the elections in Mali scheduled for February 2024 will be taken into account,” said Hebestreit.
The decision followed talks between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock who were at odds on the issue.
Mali should be more than capable by now.....and we expect some form responsibility from Malian army