Germany’s government has said it will increase the number of German troops serving in the UN peacekeeping mission by 300 soldiers to 1,400.
“This is intended to compensate for capacities previously undertaken by French forces,” government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
France has decided to withdraw its soldiers, which are not part of the UN force, after disagreements with Mali’s military rulers.
Germany’s announcement comes a week after it said it would no longer take part in a European Union military training mission in Mali because of concerns that the soldiers it helps could then fight alongside Russian mercenaries who are suspected of atrocities.
According to the Associated Press, this support and training will now be offered to Niger’s government in its fight against Islamist militants.
Source: BBC
