Germany says it will no longer take part in a European Union military training mission in Mali, following concerns that the soldiers it helps, could then fight alongside Russian forces who are suspected of atrocities.
The Human Rights Watch last month accused Malian troops along with suspected Russian fighters of summarily executing about 300 civilian men during an operation against jihadists.
Further, Germany’s Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht says the country’s troops would continue to take part in a UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, so long as more troops were deployed to replace French soldiers who are pulling out.
Under the current transitional Malian government, there was a danger that Germany-trained Malian soldiers could fight together with Russian troops and “commit cruel violations of human rights”, Lambrecht said after a cabinet meeting in Meseberg, a city north of Berlin.
“We cannot support such a system any longer,” the defence minister said. “That’s why we will stop our (participation in the) EUTM training mission.”
The West African country’s army denied the HRW allegations. Mali and Russia have previously said the Russians in the country are trainers helping local troops with equipment bought from Russia.
Germany was willing to continue its participation in the MINUSMA peacekeeping mission if the U.N. made sure that shortfalls created by the French withdrawal were filled to ensure the safety of German soldiers, Lambrecht said.
“I expect the U.N. to create conditions for us to continue our involvement in MINUSMA. We are ready to continue the mandate,” Lambrecht said.