After Mali now Niger: Germany relies on a new partner

Security measures are ramped up when the two ministers, Svenja Schulze, Development, and Boris Pistorius, Defence, arrive at Camp Castor from Germany. It is the Bundeswehr field camp in Gao, in the unstable north of Mali. Defense Minister Pistorius and Development Minister Schulze are traveling together for the first time – and they want to get an idea of ​​the most dangerous deployment of German soldiers. Their message: Development is not possible without security. And without development, security makes no sense.

And yet: If the Federal Government has its way, it will be over here in May 2024 – for the Federal Armed Forces in Mali. And the Camp Castor with its many containers and equipment should be completely dismantled by then.

Mali is the focus of Islamist terror in the Sahel. From here, local offshoots of the so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda continue to expand. The jihadists bring unimaginable violence and a climate of constant fear to the civilian population. The consequences are tens of thousands of refugees, hunger and suffering – in Mali and throughout the region.

In the middle of this powder keg, the Bundeswehr has the task of protecting the civilian population, stabilizing the country and ensuring security. It is part of the UN blue helmet mission Minusma. 1100 German soldiers are stationed in Mali. But the Bundeswehr has not been able to fulfill this task for months. The reasons are varied. “The conditions made this mission fail,” says Defense Minister Pistorius. “I am very sorry that this mission is now coming to an end in this way.” Because: The security situation in Mali has not improved.

New partners, turning away from the West

Ten years ago, Mali’s government had asked the West to come into the country and ensure peace. But after two military coups in the last two years, a lot has changed. The new ruler, 40-year-old President Assimi Goita, is counting on a new partner in his military junta. And this is Russia of all places.

Goita is increasingly distancing itself from the West. And instead brought fighters from the notorious Russian mercenary group Wagner into the country. Instead of more security, there are now brutal human rights violations in Mali.

At the same time, the government in Bamako repeatedly torpedoed the work of the Germans. Bans reconnaissance flights with drones, bans patrols in some areas. “This is not the fault of German politics and certainly not the fault of the Bundeswehr, the soldiers,” said Pistorius.

Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world. Most of the approximately 23 million people live in rural areas. There are many crises that people are exposed to here. And they are all connected: security crisis, climate crisis, refugee crisis, hunger crisis, job crisis. 8.8 million people in Mali are now dependent on humanitarian aid.

Soldiers go, helpers stay

So the jihadists have an easy time recruiting new fighters from the young men. Because they are often the only ones who offer them a perspective. This is another reason why Development Minister Svenja Schulze sent the clear message: “We will continue to be there with development cooperation.” Even if the soldiers leave, the helpers stay. “We have the means to work even under difficult security conditions,” says Schulze.

Just like Welthungerhilfe. They also want to stay when the Bundeswehr withdraws. The non-governmental organization works with a team of around 150 local and international helpers in the dangerous parts of Mali. “We have been working in Mali for more than 50 years. Our work does not depend on the presence of German troops in a UN mission,” says Welthungerhilfe CEO Mathias Mogge. Providing emergency aid and offering long-term prospects – that’s what work is all about.

The Sahel zone is considered one of the most important regions for the security of Europe and Germany. The spread of Islamist terror and migration have repercussions far beyond the region. Nor does the West want to leave the field to Russia and China, which are also fighting for influence in the Sahel. And that is why Germany will remain present in the region. And has already identified a new partner: Niger.

Niger new stability anchor

“If the young people don’t have a job here, the terrorists will lure them away,” says Souley Salamata. She is mayor of the municipality of Kollo in the Tillabéri region. In Nigeria. Now she is standing with other mayors and regional councilors in the large common room of the Bundeswehr air base in Niger’s capital Niamey. Development Minister Svenja Schulze wants to hear first-hand what the people of Niger need. Will discuss how support from Germany can best succeed. Your interlocutors have traveled from all parts of Niger.

“Security means more than military security,” Schulze said after the meeting. As in Mali, she promises further support in agriculture and education. “We have to show people perspectives in order to remove the breeding ground for terrorists,” said Schulze. The problems in Niger are very similar to those in Mali.

Coming from Mali, the jihadists are trying to push further and further into Niger. The Nigerien government is therefore asking for support from Germany. Defense Minister Pistorius wants to send soldiers to further support the build-up of the Nigerien armed forces. “It really is a partnership of equals. They want us here,” says Pistorius. Unlike in Mali.

And unlike Mali, the Nigerien government under President Mohamed Bazoum is banking on partnership with the West instead of Russia. Two years ago, a democratic change of power took place in Niger for the first time. But the situation of the young democracy is fragile. Not only that tens of thousands of refugees from neighboring countries are fleeing to Niger. The country is among the poorest in the world.

In addition, Niger’s population is growing faster than in any other country in the world. 50 percent of people are under 15 years old. Half don’t go to school. It is a vicious circle that the mayors and government councilors describe to Minister Schulze: the young girls are married off early because the families cannot feed them.

“Your feet will never go where your heart isn’t,” is a proverb from Niger that a regional councilor gave to the minister from Germany. Niger – the new partner that the visitors from Germany want to strengthen as a new anchor of stability in the Sahel region.