Germany calls for rapid elections, reforms in Mali

Bamako (dpa) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Wednesday for swift elections and reforms in Mali as a prerequisite for further engagement in the country, as Berlin weighs whether to extend its military mission there.

“It is clear to us that we urgently need … a clear commitment to democratization and, above all, elections,” Baerbock said after a meeting in Bamako with Malian interim President Assimi Goïta and Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.

The government also had to fight corruption and judicial impunity, Baerbock said.

Goïta recently delayed elections, which had been set for February 27, by five years.

Baerbock added that as long as the country cooperates closely with Russian actors, Germany cannot continue to participate in the EU mission EUTM, which trains Malian armed forces.

Mali’s transitional military government has been accused of cooperating with Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group, which is reportedly also active in the war in Ukraine.

In addition to the approximately 1,100 Bundeswehr soldiers taking part in the UN mission MINUSMA, about 320 other soldiers are deployed as part of EUTM.

The government in Berlin needs to decide by the end of May whether to extend the missions. On Tuesday during a visit to troops in Gao, Baerbock signalled her willingness to extend the MINUSMA mandate.

The calculus of the German decision has been made harder by a recent announcement by France that it would withdraw its troops.

For his part, Diop spoke on Wednesday of a complex security situation in his country. He defended Mali’s cooperation with countries such as Russia and China, which he said was needed to get the situation under control.

Baerbock assured the Malian leaders that Germany would continue its support given the drought in the country and exploding food prices.

“The cooperation with the people of Mali, with the civilian population, will continue,” she said.

Baerbock travelled on to Niger, where she is scheduled to meet leaders and speak on the topic of climate and security.