Denmark on Thursday announced it will start withdrawing its troops out of Mali after the West African country’s military junta insisted on an immediate withdrawal, reported France 24.
“The coup generals sent out a public statement reiterating that Denmark is not welcome in Mali,” Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod told a press conference after a meeting in parliament on Thursday, referring to a repeated demand from the Malian leadership.
“Of course, we do not accept that. That is why we have also decided … to bring our forces home,” Kofod added.
Denmark had deployed a contingent of around 90 soldiers in Mali earlier this month to join a European special forces mission, known as Takuba, that was set up to support the country’s anti-jihadist operations. Task Force Takuba is a 900-troop French-led unit that was launched in March 2020.
On Monday, Mali’s military junta, which came to power in a coup in August 2020, asked Denmark to withdraw its troops, following a deployment it said had been undertaken without consent. The next day, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Kofod told reporters that Danish forces were in Mali following a clear invitation and that his government was seeking to clarify the issue.
Mali’s junta responded late Wednesday by repeating its demand, calling Kofod’s comments inappropriate.
The decision comes amid tensions between Mali and its international partners, including regional bodies and the European Union, that have sanctioned Mali after the military government failed to organize elections after two coups.
Tensions have escalated also over allegations that transitional authorities have deployed private military contractors from the Russia-backed Wagner Group to Mali.
Foreign Minister Kofod added that the country will continue the good and close cooperation with European allies and keep the pressure on Mali’s rulers to get democracy back, to create safety for the population in Mali, to fight the terror groups.
