Operations suspended in Mali
Bundeswehr is again missing an overflight permit
09/17/2022, 10:25 p.m
As early as August, Germany had to suspend the Bundeswehr mission in Mali, which was taking place under the auspices of the UN. The reason was tensions with those in power on the ground. Now an overflight permit is missing again – with consequences for the mission.
A missing overflight permit again hinders the Bundeswehr mission in West African Mali. Landing and overflights for medical evacuation for the German mission contingent for the UN mission Minusma are currently suspended, said a spokesman for the operations command in Schwielowsee near Potsdam on request.
So the rescue chain was broken. Because the safety of the soldiers cannot be guaranteed because of this, no operations are currently taking place. The NDR had previously reported that the Bundeswehr was once again suspending its reconnaissance flights in the West African country. In the first half of September, the necessary overflight permit was still available, but not since this Friday, according to the operations command.
Recently there had been increased tensions between those in power and the UN mission, for which Germany provided soldiers. The Malian government has repeatedly denied the Bundeswehr overflight rights for military aircraft. On August 12, Germany suspended the operation, but resumed the reconnaissance mission in early September.
Mali, with a population of around 20 million, has experienced three military coups since 2012 and is politically extremely unstable. Since the most recent coup in May 2021, the country has been led by an interim military government. European states criticize their military cooperation with Russia.