Černochová: Czech army will probably not continue EU training mission in Mali

Defence Minister Jana Černochová does not expect the current mandate of the Czech army within the EU training mission in Mali to be extended, the Czech News Agency reports. She told the parliamentary defence committee at a meeting on Wednesday that nevertheless, in her opinion, the Czech army should not leave the Sahel region, where Mali is located, but move to another country in the region instead. Whether it will continue to operate in Mali or another Sahel country is yet to be decided.

At an informal meeting of EU defence ministers which took place in Prague on Monday and Tuesday this week, other EU defence ministers also agreed that it is in Europe's security interest to continue operating in the Sahel region.

Mali has had a poor security situation since 2012. It is currently ruled by a military junta that overthrew the democratic government in 2020. The junta has been under the increasing influence of Russia after turning away from traditional ally and former colonial power France. Paris withdrew its troops from the country due to the split, and other countries are also talking about withdrawing.

The Czech army currently commands the EU training mission in Mali. The current mandate approved by the government and parliament is valid until the end of the year.