The Sahel region has become in recent years more and more in the focus of German policy. Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen is therefore once again in Mali and Niger to visit.
1,100 German soldiers are now deployed in Mali, more than in any other country outside of Europe. As in the case of all other foreign operations, Germany, landed here as a result of international pressure, not on his own Initiative. The French, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel told before the Federal military generals a few weeks ago, would call for the Advance by Islamists and Tuareg rebels, the Malian capital, Bamako, 2013 a “quasi-Alliance”, support requires and “all of a sudden we are in Africa”. It is not so, that the Bundeswehr must be worn in Mali to Hunt, no, she is aware of the fact that it is really needed – not only French, but also of the UN and, not least, of the Malian population and their government.
Almost a combat mission
Since the beginning of the German mission there, Ursula von der Leyen, flies at least once a year to Mali. Every Time you will receive here with Timpani and trumpets. This time, to take even the state President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta for you time. The German soldiers are very popular in Mali. They are not as brash as the French – even if the only foreign soldiers in the country on terrorist hunt. The Germans and other Nations to train the Malian army for years – and we hope to put you in a position to provide eventually for the security in the country. The management of this European Training Mission (EUTM) will fall in these days to the Germans.
A combat helicopter of the German Bundeswehr at the airfield in Gao in Northern Mali
In addition, the Bundeswehr is heavily involved in the insecure North of the country. In Gao, the German soldiers experience on a daily basis, which means “stabilization of peace” practical, namely, dangerous patrols, always on the alert in front of his ambushes and booby traps. MINUSMA – the UN-stated Mission has long since become a Synonym for the most dangerous deployment of the Bundeswehr, even if no German soldier was killed by enemy action. In your last Mali visit in July 2017 had said of the Leyen: “Our common enemy the terrorists who try to disrupt the peace process. And that is the reason why the international community, Mali is: Thus, the country has time to bring the peace process forward.”
The impatience in Germany is growing
Some politicians in Germany are becoming increasingly impatient. You finally want to see political progress in the country. In fact, the years ago, so hopefully begun in the peace process came to a Standstill. The terrorists have doubled their numbers in five years is estimated to 1000, and their strength increases. The green defense expert Tobias Lindner of the German wave says for example: “The situation in Mali has become more difficult than easier. If you can’t reach the goals you have set, then it is better to make a cut, and new approaches to try.”
Lindner and other opposition politicians are calling for the military and more diplomatic and civil-social commitment of the Federal government and closer understandings between the ministries in order to help the country more sustainable.
Ursula von der Leyen and her nigrischer counterpart, Kalla Moutari in the case of the Leyens visit in Niger to 2017
Control of causes of Flight
Ursula von der Leyen, is also say, this time the German soldiers that “we need a long breath in Mali”, that is to say: that the use in the country can last for many years. And maybe she will also emphasize how, two years ago, again, how important it is “to give the people of Mali, peace, and future and perspectives”, because only this kept them from seeking their salvation in the escape to Europe.
This also applies to Niger, Mali’s Eastern neighbor. Hardly one knows this better than the Nigerien politicians to defence Minister Kalla Moutari. Also it will hit the von der Leyen also to conversations. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, a starting point and a transit country for African refugees. It should be exciting to see what the help of Ursula von der Leyen, the Niger, this time, is to offer, beyond the 80 vehicles, says the country already allocated for border security, as it is officially.