foreign mission
Bundeswehr resumes reconnaissance mission in Mali
The Bundeswehr resumes the previously suspended reconnaissance mission as part of the UN mission Minusma (archive photo). photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The Bundeswehr is continuing its reconnaissance mission in politically unstable Mali. The mission was suspended just four weeks ago due to disagreements with the military government.
The Bundeswehr blue helmets deployed in West African Mali are resuming their reconnaissance mission, which had been suspended due to disagreements with the military government. The “operative contribution” to the UN mission Minusma will be continued, said a spokesman for the operational command in Schwielowsee near Potsdam of the German Press Agency.
Mountain troops flown to Mali are also involved in securing the airport in the city of Gao, where the central base of the UN mission Minusma is located.
Recently there had been increased tensions between those in power and the UN mission – for which Germany provided soldiers. The Malian government has repeatedly denied the Bundeswehr overflight rights for military aircraft, so that a civilian charter aircraft was used. On August 12, Germany suspended the operation.
Mali, with around 20 million inhabitants, has experienced three military coups since 2012 and is considered to be extremely unstable politically. Since the most recent coup in May 2021, the country has been led by an interim military government. European states criticize their military cooperation with Russia.