Germany considering troops increase in African missions

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen is considering increasing the international engagement of German national defence forces, or Bundeswehr, local media Spiegel reported Sunday. "When murder and rape continue, we can't look away, on humanitarian grounds alone," the minister said in an interview, in which she discussed her aims to bolster the country's peacekeeping missions in Africa. She said the Bundeswehr could provide a helicopter to evacuate wounded soldiers in Central Africa, where "a bloody war between Christians and Muslims unfolds." "We cannot allow that the conflict sets the entire region in flames," said Von der Leyen. The minister also said she was considering increasing the German contingent in Mali. "Currently, the mandate upper limit is 180 men with 99 soldiers on site. We could strengthen this commitment, which is also expected from our allies, especially the French government. I could imagine that the mandate will be increased up to 250 men," said Von der Leyen. She replied "yes" when asked whether Germany should assume more international responsibility, suggesting the replacement of national armies in the European Union by united European forces in the long run. However, the minister admitted that there is still a long way to go before reaching the goals, and the requirement of parliamentary approval needs to be considered as well. "But I think unified armed forces will be a logical consequence of an ever-increasing military cooperation in Europe," said Von der Leyen.