BAMAKO/Mali: German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has laid out Berlin’s conditions for a continued deployment of its soldiers in Mali until May 2024.
More than 1,100 members of the Bundeswehr are currently deployed in Mali but they are due to be pulled out by that date at the latest.
During talks with her counterpart Sadio Camara in Bamako on Thursday, Lambrecht demanded unhindered work by German reconnaissance drones as well as adherence to the timetable for presidential elections in February 2024.
“This is a prerequisite for us – the way we intend to do it – to remain engaged here in Mali,” Lambrecht said.
Berlin’s decision to eventually pull out came after constant friction between the Malian government, which came to power in a military coup, and the UN mission.
Before Germany, France, Britain and Denmark had already announced the withdrawal of their own troops.
