On 3 June, the Federal Cabinet decided to extend the Bundeswehr’s three deployments abroad in Kosovo (KFOR), Mali (MINUSMA) and Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Bundestag still has to give its approval.
Stable situation in Kosovo
The mission in the Republic of Kosovo (KFOR) is to continue unchanged; up to 1850 troops can be deployed there. Although the situation in the country is generally regarded as being stable, there continues to be a considerable potential for conflict in the Kosovo-Serb dominated north of the country. It is therefore still necessary for international troops to remain in order to ensure a safe environment.
Germany has been supporting Kosovo since 1999 and to date has provided development cooperation funds amounting to at least 480 million euros. This funding has made a valuable contribution towards the country’s social and economic development. For 2015, aid to the tune of 25.5 million euros has been earmarked to develop the country’s energy grid and to improve sewage and waste disposal.
Border management in Lebanon
The Bundeswehr is also to carry on participating in the UN-led mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL). According to the Cabinet decision, up to 300 troops are to continue being deployed off Lebanon’s coast until 30 June 2016.
Their task is to safeguard Lebanon’s maritime borders and to develop the capabilities of the Lebanese navy so that the country is soon able to protect its own borders. Furthermore, UNIFIL is making a key contribution towards the normalisation of relations between Israel and Lebanon – both countries appreciate German’s efforts and are keen to see the mission continued.
Support in managing the refugee crisis
The civil war in Syria has resulted in more than one million people seeking refuge in Lebanon – that corresponds to one quarter of the latter’s population. Germany has provided Lebanon with around 247 million euros since 2012 to help it cope with the influx of refugees: among other things, the German Government is paying the school fees for 60 per cent of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon.
Stabilising security in Mali
The mandate for the Bundeswehr’s participation in the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has also been extended until 30 June 2016, with the number of military personnel involved remaining the same at up to 150 soldiers. The aim of the mission is to stabilise the security situation and the political process concerning the future of northern Mali and to help humanitarian organisations gain access to the country.
The deployment is part of the German Government’s wide-ranging commitment to Mali within the scope of a networked approach. This also includes development cooperation and crisis prevention funds, as well as the training of police and security forces within the framework of the EU Training Mission (EUTM).
