Germany extends Niger mission amid Sahel instability

The German Bundeswehr will extend its mission in Niger, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday while visiting troops in the country as instability in the Sahel region continues to increase.

During his visit to Niger on Monday (23 May), Scholz visited the military base in Tillia, where German troops are based for the ‘Gazelle’ mission, part of the EU’s training mission in Niger and Mali (EUTM).

“The Bundeswehr is achieving extraordinary things here and even managed to achieve extraordinary results under very difficult conditions,” the chancellor said, adding that the engagement in Niger – an important partner for Germany in the fight against terrorism in the region – should be a model for other regions.

The mission’s extension comes amid a worsening situation in the Sahel region, notably in Mali.

After France’s withdrawal of troops from the country in February shook up the region, the German parliament on 20 May voted to end the Bundeswehr’s mandate for its participation in the EUTM mission there.

Germany’s mission in Niger is set to run until the end of the year, said Scholz, adding that it should be prolonged in some form afterwards.

The mission so far has been “very successful and conducted with a lot of motivation,” Scholz said. “Now, it will be about identifying a good successor project.”