In a decisive move, Germany’s Bundestag voted on Friday to extend the nation’s military involvement in Mali as part of the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, for an additional year. The renewed mandate, marking the final extension, will be effective until May 31 of next year. Approximately 1,400 German troops currently contribute to MINUSMA, supporting the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.
The parliamentary vote resulted in 375 in favor, 263 against, and one abstention. Notably, all opposition parties expressed their dissent by voting against the motion. The leading conservative opposition bloc, CDU/CSU, had advocated for a complete withdrawal of troops by the end of this year.
Germany’s participation in overseas military missions necessitates parliamentary authorization, which is typically granted on an annual basis.
In addition to the military deployment, Germany has committed to providing development aid to Mali. In November, the German government announced its plan to gradually reduce its involvement in the mission, with the aim of completing the withdrawal by mid-2024. The rationale behind this timeline was to align with Mali’s anticipated election in February and ensure a structured and orderly exit strategy. However, these points were subjected to scrutiny by the opposition during Friday’s proceedings.
For the past decade, Germany has contributed troops to MINUSMA, which is widely recognized as the United Nations’ most perilous peacekeeping operation. Mali has been plagued by destabilizing attacks orchestrated by armed extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State since 2013.
Nevertheless, the recent military government in Mali has repeatedly impeded German operations in the country, particularly by denying flight clearance for reconnaissance drones. Mali has been under the control of a military junta since a coup against an elected president in 2020. These circumstances have added complexity to Germany’s mission in Mali and prompted discussions about the future of their involvement.
While the extension of the military deployment was secured through parliamentary approval, concerns have been raised regarding Mali’s evolving political landscape and the challenges posed by the military junta’s interference in German operations. As Germany upholds its commitment to MINUSMA, ongoing evaluations of the mission’s effectiveness and potential adjustments to the withdrawal timeline will likely be considered in light of the shifting dynamics within Mali.
Image Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP
