Germany’s Deputy Defence Minister Ralf Brauksiepe has said the German government plans to expand its military presence in Africa to assist in checking the menace of terrorism and piracy.
Brauksiepe made this known Monday when he delivered a lecture on German military cooperation in Africa to participants of course 24 at the National Defence College in Abuja.
He said for 25 years after the unification of Western and Eastern Germany, it has enjoyed ‘peace dividends’ however, increasing global security threats has caused it involvement in European Union and United Nations military missions in Africa.
Brauksiepe said Germany has about 600 troops deployed in eight Africa countries providing military support, training and technical expertise, which include: Mali, Somalia, Sudan, Liberia, the Horn of Africa, Western Sahara and the Gulf of Guinea.
He explained that because of the need to check emerging security threats, an unprecedented increase of Germany’s Defence Budget suggests it will invest more in Defence.
Bruaksiepe stated that Germany will increase its deployment on the Africa continent to 1000 troops which exceeds their deployment to Afghanistan.
He said a new German government military program in Africa will assists is relevant partners with technical training and support in crises management and peace building.
He added that Germany will assist in building military capacity to support in terms of maritime security, and check the menace of piracy on the high seas.