Mali
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen called for calm on Sunday during her visit to Gao, Mali as investigations unfold on a German helicopter accident.
The two crew members died after the German Military helicopter assigned to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali crashed on Wednesday.
The flight boxes were recovered and will be taken to Germany for data recovery work to begin.
“The investigation has to be carried out systematically and it would be wrong to exert pressure on the experts and with respect to the pilots and the security of the personnel. We know from other incidents involving helicopters that especially with a close cooperation with the experts the right moment can be found to slowly and safely resume flight operation,” German Defence minister, Ursula Von Der Leyen said.
Von der Leyen refuted claims the crash was a result of the pilot’s inexperience. She described the Mali peacekeeping mission as one of the most important but also the most dangerous deployments of the United Nations.
Some 800 German soldiers are stationed in Mali.
11:05
New era of sovereignty in Mali's gold sector [Business Africa]
01:03
Ukraine: one person killed and 35 injured in Russian attack
01:08
Türkiye under attack: African nations call out cowardly terrorism
01:24
Haiti's crisis: a focus on security fragility and humanitarian needs
01:31
Seven-story block collapses in northern Nairobi, tenants of adjacent buildings evacuated
01:05
UNHCR Goodwil Ambassador Theo James visits Mbera refugee camp ahead of COP29