German troops have started to withdraw from Mali as Berlin aims to wind up by May next year a mission that has been hampered by disputes with the ruling military junta in Bamako and the arrival of Rus
With German and other European troops leaving the Sahel region of Africa, German officials are looking for new ways to keep extremist groups there at bay.
The last year of the German military's Mali mission is approaching, with withdrawal due to end in May 2024. But the Sahel region remains dangerous which is why troops are starting a new mission in neighboring Niger.
Are western nations all withdrawing from the mission in Mali? And how to deal with Mali's growing ties to Russia? German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addressed these questions on this week's trip there.