The tiny nation of Luxembourg is responding to France’s call for help against extremism by doubling its troop numbers in Mali to a grand total of two. The Luxemburger Wurt reported that the second soldier will arrive in Mali in early 2016 in order to work on the EU training mission in the country.
Luxembourg, with a population of just over half a million, has reportedly also pledged 2 million euros to the Malian military to tackle extremism. The money will go towards training, equipment and medical supplies as well as anti-radicalization efforts targeted at children.
In the wake of the Daesh-coordinated attacks in Paris last month which left 130 people dead, France called for assistance through a clause in the Lisbon Treaty which stipulates that EU member states should come to the aid of a country in need.
Article 42.7 of that document states:
“If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.”
Luxembourg is obliging, although their response has been the subject of some mockery on social media. See below, via Twitter.
Rt @AFP #Luxembourg has decided to send a second soldier in #Mali #surge #CT #ferartheDuchy pic.twitter.com/motpd6ao9x
— Tom Antonov (@Tom_Antonov) December 9, 2015
Reporting from #Luxembourg: Streets are empty here as a we're sending a person to #Mali. Dunno how that person in that shop will make it now
— Logan Sierra (@Logan_Sierra_) December 11, 2015#blague du siècle https://t.co/IygAGBlTIL
— jawad bensaid (@jawadbensaid) December 11, 2015"Joke of the century"
ISIS, Game Over https://t.co/39A0E61Tp7
— Skander Zouari (@skanderzouari) December 10, 2015Tremblez terroristes ! #Luxembourg #Mali pic.twitter.com/2gNGXVAACy
— Dyhii (@_DyHiA_) December 10, 2015
