Germany suspends military mission in Mali amid diplomatic tensions

Decision taken after Mali denied clearance to transport plane, says German Defense Ministry

Germany has suspended its military mission in Mali after diplomatic tensions with the West African country, the government confirmed on Friday.

Defense Ministry spokesman Arne Collatz told a news conference in Berlin that Malian authorities on Friday denied clearance to a German transport plane, and once again hindered troop rotation plans.

“Therefore, we must take measures, and we’re suspending operations of our reconnaissance forces and CH-53 transport flights until further notice,” he said.

Collatz said German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had called her Malian counterpart on Thursday, and received assurances that there will be no obstacles to the planned troop rotation.

“But now, the Malian government once again denied a German transport plane fly over its territory,” he said.

Germany was among the key countries supporting UN’s MINUSMA (Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission) in order to help implement the peace process in the West African country.