The EU training mission EUTM in the West African crisis state of Mali has been put on hold for the time being. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell announced the decision of the foreign ministers on Monday. Several EU countries have recently expressed concerns that the policies of the transitional military government, in place since a coup d’état last year, are not in line with the values of the European Union. In addition, the government’s cooperation in Bamako with the Russian army and Russian mercenaries was criticized.
Human rights groups suspect mercenaries of the Wagner Company two weeks ago, together with Malian soldiers, a mass murder of civilians in the village of Moura. The human rights organization Human Rights Watch says about 300 civilians have been killed.
EU funds frozen for Mali
According to Borrell, the recently approved funds for the government in Mali and the army have been frozen. In December, EU countries launched aid to Mali amounting to €24 million over a 30-month period. According to Borrell, the EU wants to continue to work for Mali’s neighbors in the Sahel.
The Austrian armed forces are involved in the EU training mission EUTM and the UN mission MINUSMA with a total of about 90 soldiers. EUTM was last led by Austrian Brigadier General Christian Riener. In the future, Malian military personnel will only be trained in legal matters, but no more military training.
German Foreign Minister visits Mali
In February, the former colonial power France decided to end its nine-year military operation in Mali. This was preceded by serious tensions with the Malian military government. The German Defense Ministry did not want to say on Monday whether the Bundeswehr was already working on a withdrawal. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is expected in Mali on Tuesday evening. Shortly before her departure, the Greens politician noted that the government in Bamako had “lost a lot of international confidence in recent months, not least because of slowing down the democratic transition and intensifying military cooperation with Moscow”.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
