Mali asks Denmark to immediately withdraw troops deployed there

Bamako, January 24 (Reuters)-The Mali government said Monday that it requested the immediate withdrawal of troops deployed in West African countries as part of a France-led anti-terrorism task force. protocol.

“The Mali government is, to our surprise, paying attention to the deployment of Danish special forces within the Takuba army to the territory,” the government said in a statement.

He said the deployment was done without its consent and without considering the additional protocol applicable to the MTF, adding that Denmark should immediately withdraw its troops.

According to the statement, all Task Force partners required prior agreement with the government before deploying in Mali.

This decision is made in tensions between Mali and its international partners, including regional organizations. European Union sanctioning Mali After the interim government failed to organize elections after two military coups.

There is also growing tension over the allegations that interim authorities have deployed private military contractors in Mali from the Russian-backed Wagner Group, saying that some EU countries are incompatible with their mission.

Approximately 90 personnel, including logistical support, were deployed on Monday, including surgeons and special forces of the Royal Danish Army, according to a statement on the Danish Defense Ministry website. It said their mission was supposed to continue until early 2023.

The Takuba Task Force was founded as the successor to the French counter-terrorism operation in the Sahel region of West Africa, and French President Emmanuel Macron began to reduce the initial 5,000 powerful troops.

The MTF, consisting of approximately 14 European countries, works with regional forces to provide special forces, logistics and tactical support for targeted operations against Islamic extremists.

The military is expected to help Mali and Sahel’s neighbors in West Africa, Burkina Faso and Niger, confront the jihadist militants associated with Islamic State and al-Qaeda.

“The purpose is to stabilize Mali and parts of the Liptaco-Gourma trilateral region, including the regions of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, and ensure the protection of civilians from terrorist groups,” a Danish statement said. ..

Report by Tiemoko Diallo, John Irish and Bate Felix Written by Bate Felix.Edited by Leslie Adler and Sandra Muller

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