After announcing the withdrawal of its troops from Mali, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday that Germany will remain committed to security in the Sahel.
In a statement issued on the eve of his visit to Niger and Mali, he added that Germany’s military commitment in the Sahel will be focused on nearby Niger.
He said that although Germany has ended its military commitment with MINUSMA, it will still be committed to the security of the Sahel region.
The withdrawal of German troops from the UN mission (MINUSMA) in Mali was announced last November. Other countries have followed suit.
The withdrawal is expected to take place by May 2024, although Pistorius believes that the soldiers cannot stay until then, as they are not currently fulfilling their missions.
Instead, several countries want to strengthen cooperation with Niger, which is considered a more reliable partner than Mali in the fight against jihadist groups active in the region.
The German government has already started cooperation with Niger. Last month, Germany sent 60 soldiers to participate in a new EU-led mission (EUMPM Niger).