Mali orders Denmark to immediately withdraw troops from the ‘Sahel region’

 The government of Mali on Monday asked Denmark to immediately withdraw troops from the country's Sahel region. The troops were deployed to the West African nation as part of a French-led counter-terrorism task force known as Takuba.

Mali’s government said in a statement that the deployment took place without its consent. It said that the deployment failed to follow protocol. The government claimed that the additional protocol applicable to the task force was not even considered by Denmark. 

According to Reuters, the statement said all partners in the task force needed a prior accord with the government before deployments in Mali.

French-led operation

The French-led operation was launched in March 2020 to help protect civilians from jihadists in the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The task force includes 14 European countries. The task force provides special forces, logistical, and tactical support to work with regional troops for targeted operations against Islamist militants.

However, the current transitional government in Mali said the arrival of troops took place without consent from the government. Mali's military junta has been in power since an August 2020 coup overthrew the government led by former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

Last week, around 90 announced elite Danish soldiers and military surgeons arrived in Mali. However, Mali alleged that this was done without the necessary bilateral agreement.

Subsequently, Denmark said on Tuesday that it had sent its special forces to Mali following a "clear invitation" from the Malian regime. However, on Wednesday, France and 14 other countries said they deeply regretted the Mali government's allegations that the Danish contingent in Takuba lacked consent or legal work.

Reportedly, in recent years, relations between Mali and France, which has been militarily engaged in the Sahel since 2013, have deteriorated. Between 2017 and 2022, around €122 million in aid was also allocated to Mali by Denmark.