François Bausch, Luxembourg's Deputy PM and Minister of Defence; Credit: SIP / Yves Kortum

On Monday 25 April 2022, Luxembour's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, François Bausch, informed the members of the joint committee for foreign affairs and defence of the Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg's parliament) on the situation of the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Mali.

Minister Bausch recalled that the EUTM was created at the request of the Malian government, and on the basis of United Nations resolutions, the Member States of the European Union (EU) having agreed to participate in a training mission for the Malian armed forces. Currently the EUTM is made up of nearly 700 soldiers from 25 European countries, including 22 members of the Luxembourg army, who contribute to provide protection.

The objectives of EUTM are:

  • Contribute to improving the capacities of the Malian armed forces under the control of the political authorities
  • Contribute to improving the security situation in Mali by supporting the implementation of the Algiers Peace Agreement
  • Support the restoration of state control and the rule of law throughout Mali
  • Support the strengthening of the operational capacities of the G5 Sahel joint force and regional cooperation to deal with common security threats (terrorism, illegal trafficking, trafficking)

In order to achieve its objectives, EUTM in Mali bases its activities on four pillars:

  • Training of Malian military units;
  • Strategic and tactical advice to the Malian armed forces at all levels;
  • Contribution to the improvement of the military training system and educational institutions;
  • Advice and training at the HQ of the G5 Sahel joint force.

Since the creation of the EUTM, more than 15,000 members of the Malian armed forces have been trained, numerous practical courses have been given at the Koulikoro central training camp, in particular on the fight against improvised explosive devices, first aid and human rights and international humanitarian law.

However, on 11 April 2022, following the deterioration of the political and security situation, the European Union had decided to temporarily suspend instruction and training activities for the formed units of the Malian armed forces deployable in the field and the National Guard, while maintaining training for the police and gendarmerie forces as well as all military and strategic advisory and force protection activities, in which the Luxembourg army participates

Minister Bausch thus evoked the possible scenarios for the continuation of the mission: "There are currently three possible scenarios: A withdrawal of the members of the Luxembourg army as soon as the mandate ends in June 2022, an extension of the current mandate or else a redeployment of the EUTM in other countries of the Sahel".

After analysing the risks and benefits of these three scenarios, the Minister Bausch proposed an extension of the current Luxembourg deployment by the end of 2022 by advancing in parallel the strategic assessment of EUTM Mali. “The results of this assessment will allow us to make an informed decision. A hasty departure from Mali could have catastrophic consequences for the region but also for the European Union" said Minister Bausch.