Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Irish troops in Mali.
Africa

Ireland 'substantially reduces' Defence Forces personnel on EU Mali training mission

Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger in the Sahel Region of Africa, is scene to a major Islamist insurgency in recent years.

LAST UPDATE | Mar 21st 2023, 3:44 PM

IRELAND HAS RENEWED its deployment of troops to the European Union mission in war torn Mali.

Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger in the Sahel Region of Africa, is scene to a major Islamist insurgency in recent years. 

Ireland had 34 troops in Mali involved in two missions – an EU training mission dubbed EUTM Mali and Minusma a UN peace-keeping mission. 

The EUTM mission has 20 Irish personnel involved in training local Malian troops, who then go on to fight in battles in the north of the country.

The Minusma mission ended last year as members of the Army Ranger Wing, who were embedded in a German operation, were withdrawn.

Today the Government approved the Defence Forces’ continued participation in the EUTM Mali mission for a further twelve months.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defence said that “mission requirements” meant that the size of the force was “being substantially reduced”. 

“In line with this new configuration for the mission, Ireland is reducing its contribution to eight personnel.  Previously, there were 20 members of the Defence Forces deployed in the mission, before this number subsequently reduced to 14.

“The Defence Forces have been participating in EUTM since 2013, when eight members were first deployed to the mission. The number of personnel deployed increased up to 18 in 2016 and to 20 personnel during the period 2017 to 2022. 

All of the Irish personnel will be based at the mission headquarters in Bamako.

Local authorities have been engaged in a diplomatic spat with EU partners as Russian forces are also active in the region, sources have said. 

French troops have substantially withdrawn with other countries such as Germany reducing their participation. 

A review of the mission is underway and that is anticipated that this review will be completed by April 2023. 

“While the outcome of this review is awaited, it is likely to lead to further reductions of personnel requirements in EUTM Mali,” a spokesperson said. 

Your Voice
Readers Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel