AA / Kigali
Estonian Defense Minister Kalle Laanet announced that his country had decided to withdraw its forces deployed in Mali, within the European forces in the counter-terrorist mission “Takuba”.
“The presence of the Estonian Defense Forces in Mali is regarding to end, and the official withdrawal will be announced next Wednesday,” Laanet said Monday, according to local newspaper, Postemis.
He confirmed that “democratic elections (in Mali) are not planned, which was one of the most important aspects of the (assistance) agreement”, according to the newspaper.
The announcement comes weeks following Denmark announced the start of the withdrawal of its forces from Mali, following the country’s transitional government demanded an immediate withdrawal.
Laanet explained: “It is not possible to continue under such conditions, and all the other allies agreed”.
And to add: “The European allies stressed during the meeting last Friday that due to the flagrant violation of the laws by the Malian Military Council, it is no longer possible to continue the mission”.
Laanet concluded: “The withdrawal does not mean the end of the war on terrorism” in the Sahel region.
Estonian forces contributed to the French-led Operation Barkhane, mainly through an infantry battalion stationed in Gao.
In 2019, Estonia increased the number of its forces stationed in Mali to 95 soldiers, and Estonian special forces participated in Operation Takuba, a European military task force stationed in northeast Mali.
*Translated from Arabic by Issa Aliou
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