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Angela Merkel in Mali

Mali

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday underscored the need to “establish coherent cooperation” in development policy and military support in Mali, on the first leg of her 3 day African tour.

“For Mali it’s to create stability, create peace, protect borders, combat drug trafficking which is a resource for these extremists and to implement the peace agreements. And thats how we want to and we will be able to help the country”, she said.

The brain drain was another issue raised in Bamako by the Chancellor. “It is important that Africa does not lose its best brains,” she said, emphasizing the integration of the population of northern Mali in the new army to ensure stability in the country.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said, “These are men and women driven by the difficulties due to crisis but also because of climate change, who think they can find a better life elsewhere. Some profit from the misery of these men and women by offering them passages in conditions that are always more perilous than ever “

The Malian President reaffirmed his country’s commitments to reduce the flow of migrants to Europe.

Angela Merkel, whose country is participating in the UN Mission in Mali (Minusma) and leads the European mission of training the Malian army, will travel to Niger, where Germany wants to build a base in support of Minusma, and Ethiopia, where she will be received at the headquarters of the African-Union.

AFP

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