Joint Visit to Mali and Niger

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault from France and Frank-Walter Steinmeier from Germany made a three-day visits to Mali and Niger lasting from 1st of May to 3rd of May 2016. This visit concentrated on joint response to the challenges facing the region, both in terms of security and development.

In the capital of Mali, Bamako, Jean-Marc Ayrault and Frank-Walter Steinmeier were received by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of the Republic of Mali. The discussions focused on support for the peace process in the country and for the efforts of the UN (MINUSMA) and EU missions. MINUSMA is a UN peace mission, which aims to stabilize Mali after the military coup in 2012, during which Islamist groups managed to gain control of large parts of northern Mali and make some advances into the south of the country. Currently, the Malian armed forces regained control of large parts of northern Mali, but the threat of terrorism still lingers. Both ministers also visited Gao, where they met with the Malian and international forces operating in the region, notably the Operation Barkhane force.

The ministers later met with Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger in the capital, Niamey. During the meeting, French and German ministers promoted sustainable development and discussed of the support for Niger in its fight against terrorism and the management of migrant flows. The support German has contributed to Niger in April 2015, entails a special commitment of EUR 15 million additional funding to help develop the country’s health care sector. German development cooperation with Niger focuses on decentralization and good governance as well as productive agriculture and food security.