The Bundestag has given the green light for the participation of German soldiers in the new EU Partnership Mission in Niger (EUMPM Niger). The Bundeswehr can thus send up to 60 men and women to contribute to the further development of the Nigerien armed forces in the West African country, which are fighting Islamist terrorists and armed gangs. On Friday in Berlin, 531 members of parliament voted in favour of the deployment (no: 102, abstentions 5). The mandate was issued until 31 May 2024.

The security situation in the Sahel has deteriorated

With the new mission, the EU is strengthening its engagement in the country, which has proven to be more reliable than neighbouring Mali, where the Bundeswehr is to withdraw by May next year. Militant Islamist rebels have been spreading in the region from northern Mali since 2012. The border triangle between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso has become one of the most dangerous regions in the world.

EUMPM Niger has been tasked with assisting the Nigerien armed forces in capacity building. Three projects are to form the core: the establishment of a technical school, specialized supplementary training for existing units, the establishment of a command support battalion. Participation in combat missions is expressly excluded.

The security situation in the Sahel region has continued to deteriorate despite considerable international support, the German government explains the mandate. "Terrorist groups have been able to expand their operations to large parts of Mali, Burkina Faso and partly Niger. As a result, the threat in the border regions of the Sahel states with the coastal states has also increased noticeably," says the motion that has now been adopted. Mutually exacerbating crises weaken the stability and development opportunities of the region "and directly affect the foreign and security policy interests of Germany and Europe".