German Troops Returning from UN Mission in Mali Kick Off Homecoming Ceremony
Due to the conclusion of the UN mission in Mali, the remaining German soldiers are now heading back to their homeland. Two A400M military transporters and an Airbus A330MRTT departed from Dakar, Senegal's capital, on a Friday, as confirmed by the German Press Agency in Berlin. These dedicated servicemembers were set to touch down at Wunstorf Air Base in Lower Saxony around 3:00 pm.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) of Germany plans to honor these brave men and women by presenting them at Wunstorf Air Base, who served in the UN's peacekeeping mission Mali, Minusma. A "Returnee Appreciation Ceremony" is scheduled to acknowledge their significant contributions, announced by the 62nd Air Force Wing in Wunstorf on Tuesday evening.
After a decade of engagement, the German military (Bundeswehr) has ended its UN mission in Mali. A total of 142 soldiers concluded their deployment on Tuesday with a temporary stopover in Dakar. The military government in Mali requested the withdrawal of all 12,000 UN peacekeepers in June and previously boosted cooperation with Russia. Following its exit from Afghanistan, this marks the Bundeswehr's departure from its second substantial overseas engagement.
German Troops' Participation in Minusma
Additional Insights:
- The European aeronautics company, Airbus S.A.S., provided the necessary aircraft for the troops' safe transportation to Germany.
- The overwhelming safety concerns of foreign troops in the region and the ongoing security situation in Mali have contributed to many countries ending their engagements in Minusma.
- Germany's overall wish to maintain a presence in the volatile Sahel region and the European Union's recognition of its importance in stabilizing the region led to the commitment of more troops by President Steffens.
Further Reading:
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will showcase the returning soldiers from the UN mission in Mali at Wunstorf Air Base in Lower Saxony.
- The federal armed forces, also known as the Bundeswehr, have played an essential role in the UN peacekeeping mission Minusma in Mali for over a decade.
- Mali's military government demanded the withdrawal of all 12,000 UN peacekeepers in June, prompting the Bundeswehr to terminate its mission in the country.
- The last 142 soldiers of the Bundeswehr departed from Mali on Tuesday, stopping briefly in Dakar before finally reaching home in Germany.
- The German Press Agency disclosed that two A400M military transporters and an Airbus A330MRTT were essential for transporting the soldiers safely back to Germany.
- The departure of the Bundeswehr from Mali concludes its second substantial overseas engagement, following its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
- Airbus S.A.S. offered the necessary aircraft for the military transportation of German soldiers, ensuring they safely arrived in Germany.
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Additional Enrichment:
Germany has indeed continued its participation in MINUSMA rather than withdrawn its troops. As reported by the Council on Foreign Relations, German President Steffens committed 650 troops to MINUSMA during a visit to Bamako in February 2025[2]. This commitment showcases Germany's intention to maintain a presence in the Sahel region, where several Western countries, such as France and the U.K., have either reduced or withdrawn their forces. As the region has seen the expansion of Russian involvement in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, its importance becomes evident. This situation further necessitates European countries to uphold a presence in the region to strengthen stability.
