European Union member states have decided not to extend the mandate of the European Union Training Mission Mali (EUTM Mali) beyond May 18, the European External Action Service said.
According to the communiqué, the decision was taken "following the strategic review and consultations with the Malian authorities, and taking into account developments in the political and security situation on the ground."
The document recalled that during its 11-year presence in Mali, the EUTM mission, at the request of the local authorities, has supported the Malian armed forces as well as the joint forces of the G5 Sahel group of countries, "contributing to the fight against the terrorist threat through the development of Mali's security and defense forces."
The EU added that channels of political dialogue, security and technical cooperation with Mali "remain open."
Since 2013, a mission of about 200 EU trainers has been in Mali to train local army units. It consisted mainly of French military personnel. The mission complemented the French military presence in Mali by shifting some of the costs to the EU.
On February 18, 2022, at the request of the government of Mali, France began withdrawing its military personnel stationed there as part of the French counterterrorism operations in Barkhane and Tacuba. The West African country's transitional government accused the French government of failing to honor bilateral agreements under the missions.
Mali's top officials, including its Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, accused Paris of supporting terrorist groups inside the West African nation.