DISINFO: The EU mission in Mali EUTM supported, helped and armed terrorism in the Sahel
SUMMARY
The EU decided on May 8 not to renew the mandate of the EUTM military training mission in Mali. To justify this decision, Member States highlighted the evolution of the political and security situation in this country in a press release.
But this is not true. The Malian people and authorities told them that they are no longer welcome. They were declared persona non grata in Mali by various communiqués which were made public by the government of Mali because they did not fulfil their training objectives. In addition, they engaged in subversive activities in Mali. They often supported terrorist groups. They provided them with weapons and information and in certain localities they even contributed to the formation of terrorist groups against the Malian army and civilian populations. They weren't trainers, they were spies. This caused the population to revolt. Russia, on the other hand, provides useful training, respects the people and the results of the fight against terrorism are much better.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU mission in Mali and EU member states in the Sahel secretly supporting terrorism while Russia efficiently fights against it.
Accusations that Western countries create or fund terrorism to seize the natural resources of African countries are baseless. The causes of terrorism are complex and the EU tries to assist African countries in addressing them. This assistance includes security, economic development, mitigation of climate change effects and the improvement of governance.
The EU announced on 8 May 2024 the end of the EUTM military training mission in Mali.
“In the 11 years of presence in Mali, EUTM Mali has supported, at the request of the authorities, the Malian Armed Forces, as well as the G5 Sahel Joint Force, contributing to the fight against the terrorist threat, through the development of Malian security and defence forces”.
It is incorrect to say that Russia's role in Western Africa has reduced terrorism; the situation is getting worse:
"extremist violence has surged across the Sahel. The first seven months of 2023 saw at least 7,800 civilian deaths, a significant increase from 2022, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). This data contradicts claims by the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger that they are effectively tackling insecurity".
The rapid increase in violent attacks, kidnappings and insurgency movements in the Sahel throughout the last decade can be attributed to a combination of factors, including political instability, economic deprivation, climate change and the spread of extremist ideologies.
Read also related cases such as: France coaches, trains and equips terrorists in Africa or The EU is against democracy in Africa or The West brought terrorism in the Sahel to get Africa's natural resources, or The EU to send a neo-colonial military mission to oppress West African populations or France is supporting terrorism in Mali.