Germany, having deployed around 1,000 soldiers in Mali, has initiated the process of withdrawing its troops and intends to complete the operation by May 2024.

As the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA nears its conclusion on June 30, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed a desire to expedite the withdrawal while ensuring the maintenance of order in Mali.

The majority of the German troops were stationed in the vicinity of the northern town of Gao, primarily engaged in reconnaissance activities for MINUSMA.

However, Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop surprised many on June 16 by denouncing the “failure” of the UN mission and demanding its immediate withdrawal before the Security Council.

This turn of events casts uncertainty over Mali, a country grappling with jihadist attacks, as the costly Minusma mission, amounting to $1.2 billion annually, is likely to wind down.

While UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres previously emphasized the mission’s value, concerns over the potential expansion of extremist groups upon its withdrawal have been voiced.