Berlin
Development Minister Schulze: After the withdrawal of the Bundeswehr from Mali, Germany wants to continue the fight against terrorism in the Sahel zone.
After the withdrawal of German troops from Mali, the federal government wants to Anti-Terror-Kampf continue in the Sahel. “Germany will remain involved in the Sahel region,” said Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) to our editorial team. “We will even expand our development-policy commitment and take a look at the entire region, including the coastal states. Because the terrorists do not respect national borders.”
The ministry is planning its own Sahel-Initiative, which is to be presented in May. The Sahel includes five countries in the transition region from North Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa: Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.
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Bundeswehr withdrawal from Mali: Germany wants to continue fighting
One should not stand idly by as the Sahel develops terrorism spread unchecked, explained Schulze. Many people in the region join extremists because they need a job and see no other perspective. “This is where development policy can start, by removing the breeding ground for the terrorist groups,” said Schulze. “If we succeed in bringing new jobs and stability to the region, then many people will decide against being recruited by terrorist groups.”
According to her assessment, the West should not give up on countries like Mali and Burkina Faso, “even if it’s difficult,” said Schulze. Because that would lead to even more problems in the future. The Development Minister emphasized Germany’s interest in supporting the Sahel and the West African coastal countries. “Should state-free spaces continue to spread on our neighboring African continent, this would have serious humanitarian consequences in the region and could increasingly pose security challenges for Europe,” she said.
Die federal government announced last year that Bundeswehr troops would be withdrawn from Mali by May 2024. The soldiers are on site as part of the UN mission MINUSMA. (gau/tma)
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