Bundeswehr deployment: Lambrecht sets conditions for Mali

Status: 12/15/2022 5:05 p.m

During her visit to Mali, the German Defense Minister made it clear that the Bundeswehr will only remain in the country if certain requirements are met. The military junta had repeatedly obstructed the operation.

By Kai Küstner, ARD capital studio, currently Bamako

Berlin’s announcement to Bamako is clear: the Bundeswehr will remain in Mali until May 2024, as planned. In order for it to stay that way, however, conditions must be met, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht clarified in the Malian capital of Bamako: “This means that there will really be elections as part of this transition process in February 2024.” The second requirement is that the The Bundeswehr is also capable of reconnaissance flights, Lambrecht added. In recent weeks, the military government has repeatedly prohibited the launch of the Heron reconnaissance drone.

Lambrecht emphasized that if one of the conditions was not met, the decision would have to be reconsidered. By which she could hardly have meant that you would stay longer. But rather: that one would then have to think about an earlier withdrawal.

First meeting of Lambrecht and Camara

Lambrecht’s Malian counterpart Sadio Camara praised the traffic light decision to have chosen May 2024 as the departure date and spoke of openness and honesty in the partnership.

Lambrecht had previously been received by Camara with military honors in Bamako. It’s the first time the two have met face to face. The minister was not available when she last visited in April.

Strained Relationships

Relations between Berlin and Bamako are considered tense because the Malian military junta is increasingly relying on cooperation with Russia and at the same time has repeatedly refused the UN troops, and thus also the German armed forces, overflights or the launch of surveillance drones.

A few weeks ago, the traffic light coalition agreed to withdraw German troops from Mali in 2024. And thus to end what is currently the most dangerous foreign mission of the Bundeswehr.

Lambrecht in Bamako conditions

Kai Küstner, ARD Berlin, 12/15/2022 4:28 p.m

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