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FDP politicians Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann: "The Bundeswehr must be optimally protected"
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
The chairman of the Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, has warned of a quick end to the Federal Armed Forces deployment in the West African crisis state of Mali. The consequences of such a step would have to be considered, said the FDP politician to the news agency dpa. A heavier armament to protect the soldiers must also be examined. In Mali, the Bundeswehr is involved in the UN Minusma mission and the EU training mission EUTM.
“We have light to moderately heavy equipment there.
We were always told that was enough.
But if the air becomes more lead-laden, will we have to relocate the boxer under certain circumstances to protect our people?
That has to be clarified, "demanded Strack-Zimmermann with a view to the armored personnel carrier of the Bundeswehr.
"When we are in such a region with all these complex interrelationships, the Bundeswehr must be optimally equipped."
China and Russia are blocking support for sanctions
In the UN Security Council, Russia and China blocked the adoption of a text in support of the announced sanctions by West African states against the military junta in Mali. The initiative was introduced by France, representatives of Beijing and Moscow prevented it, according to diplomats. On Monday, Russia had already expressed "understanding" for the actions of the Malian military.
Mali has seen three military coups since 2012 and is politically extremely unstable. Because the interim government refused to hold new elections soon, the West African community of states, Ecowas, imposed strict sanctions on Mali. All borders with the member country should be closed, all non-vital trade relations and all financial resources in Mali should be frozen at the Ecowas central bank, it said in a statement. Sharp criticism came from the EU and Mali was accused of having brought Russian mercenaries into the country.
The former colonial power France is in massive action against Islamist militias in West Africa;
Mali is a focus.
The French operation "Barkhane" includes up to 5100 soldiers.
A number of armed groups are active in the states of the Sahel zone - an area that stretches south of the Sahara from the Atlantic to the Red Sea.
Some have sworn allegiance to the terrorist groups "Islamic State" (IS) or al-Qaeda.
After a military coup in the spring, France took action and temporarily suspended joint military operations with the Malian armed forces.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that France could withdraw its 5,100 soldiers in the region if Mali under Goita drifted into radical Islamism.
Since then, there has been a possible troop withdrawal from the country.
muk / dpa / AFP
