Despite the geopolitical upheavals in West Africa, Germany will not leave the Sahel. With the shift in Mali and then Burkina Faso towards a pro-Russian policy and its corollary which is the reception of mercenaries from the Wagner Group on their territory, Germany is playing the game of European solidarity. By forcing French troops to withdraw from these two countries and reposition themselves in Niger, Germany decided to withdraw its soldiers from MINUSMA in Mali and at the same time reposition themselves in Niger.
Karamba Diaby, deputy of the Bundestag and member of the Social-democratic party (SPD) had not been asked to tell his fellow deputies, without going through four paths, how necessary it was to pass the law so that Germany remains in the Sahel in these terms: "the Cooperation work can only be done if the safety of civilians is guaranteed. Our mission in Niger aims to support President Mohamed Bazoum in his objectives, which are the development of girls' education, the improvement of the security situation, good governance and finally the fight against corruption".
Since April 28, the Bundestag, the German Parliament, has given the green light for the maintenance of the Bundeswehr (its Army) in the Sahel. And this will materialize through the participation of German soldiers in the European Union training mission in Niger.
The mission of the Bundeswehr within the European Union Forces will concern training. Far from being a first, the country has already participated in the training of the Special Forces of Niger in 2018 and 2022.
Even though Germany has decided to withdraw from MINUSMA, the country intends to maintain a certain presence in the Sahel zone. Niger is considered to provide the necessary guarantees not only to welcome German soldiers but to participate in many other social actions in favor of the country. These include programs dedicated to education, health and food security. Beyond military security and the fight against terrorism. “What we are going to do in Niger will radiate to Mali, will radiate to Burkina Faso, and can contribute to stability in the whole region,” said Heiko Bohnsack, the commander of German troops in Mali in view of this redeployment.
By Daniel Yaoni
