The German decision comes as Mali, which pushed the former French “ally” out and concretely relaunched cooperation with Moscow, has for weeks been facing a resurgence of attacks from the Islam Support Group. and Muslims (GSIM).
Germany announced yesterday to suspend “until further notice” most of its military operations in Mali as part of the UN mission (Minusma), denouncing a new refusal of overflight by the Malian authorities.
“The Malian government has once again refused to authorize a flight scheduled for today” which was to ensure a rotation of personnel, explained a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense. As a result, “we are suspending until further notice our reconnaissance operations and helicopter transport flights” because “it is no longer possible to support Minusma operationally,” he added. Without the new personnel who were to partly “replace the French forces” which are withdrawing, “security on the spot is no longer ensured” and “the remaining forces must be dedicated to securing” and will no longer be able to carry out their usual missions, explained the spokesperson during a press conference.
The denial of the overflight came despite assurances to the contrary from Mali’s Defense Minister Sadio Camara in a telephone interview Thursday with his German counterpart Christine Lambrecht, he added. “Camara’s actions speak a different language than his words,” denounced the German minister on Twitter. The German decision comes as Mali, which pushed the former French “ally” out and concretely relaunched cooperation with Moscow, has been facing a resurgence of attacks from the nebula of the Support Group for the past few weeks. Islam and Muslims (GSIM, JNIM in Arabic).
Relations between the Malian transitional authority and Paris, a former colonial power, have deteriorated sharply in recent months, in particular since certain statements by French Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Armed Forces bearing accusations of the supposed presence of mercenaries from the company Russian Wagner, which had the effect of pushing the two countries to break up after nine years of uninterrupted French presence to fight against terrorists. The French force Barkhane is currently finalizing the evacuation of its equipment from this country.
Relations between Mali and the UN, whose blue helmets have been present in the country since 2013, have also been complicated in recent weeks, with tensions which have reached their climax in recent days.
Algeria ‘strongly’ condemns terrorist attacks
Algeria on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks perpetrated against units of the Malian Armed Forces in Tisset, in the so-called “three-border” area, which caused many deaths and injuries among Malian soldiers.
“Algeria strongly condemns the terrorist attacks perpetrated against units of the Malian Armed Forces in Tisset, in the so-called “three-border” area, which caused numerous deaths and injuries among Malian soldiers,” a statement said on Thursday. of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad. “
In this painful circumstance, Algeria offers its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” reads the document.
“Algeria wishes to assure the people and the government of Mali of its solidarity and its firm support in its fight against terrorism and reiterates its call for vigorous and effective action at the regional and international levels for the elimination of this scourge whose negative impact on peace, security and development in Africa continues to worsen,” it added.
“A collective response from Africa, in the context of the decisions taken by the Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Malabo, and an enhancement of the effectiveness of the support of the international community for the benefit of Mali are more necessary than ever. at a time when terrorism redoubles its aggressiveness,” the statement concluded.
