A spokesman for the German Federal Ministry of Defence said on the 17th local time that although the Malian government requested the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to immediately withdraw its troops from the local area, Germany would continue relevant military operations. According to the spokesman, Germany supports the relevant UN negotiations and, as always, agrees to withdraw its troops in an "orderly manner", that is, withdraw its troops from Mali before May 31 next year.
The day before, Mali’s Foreign Minister Diop called on MINUSMA to leave the country "without delay" at the UN Security Council, arguing that in the past decade, this UN mission failed to fully respond to the tense security situation in Mali, but instead aggravated local tensions.
MINUSMA is the United Nations mission that suffered the most casualties in recent years. Germany originally planned to withdraw about 1,400 federal defense soldiers it is currently participating in before the end of May 2024. Analysts pointed out that the UN Security Council should have made a decision on the extension plan of MINUSMA on June 29, but if the consent of the countries concerned cannot be obtained, the Council may have to decide on the withdrawal authorization. In this case, the Bundeswehr may be forced to withdraw its troops ahead of schedule. (General Station reporter Ruan Jiawen)