The government is to reduce its peacekeeping commitment to Mali following concerns about the involvement of local forces with Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, which has been accused of human rights atrocities including the execution of villagers.

Ireland will withdraw 14 troops who are on deployment with Minusma, the United Nations operation established to support Mali’s political processes. The number of specialist troops serving with the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Mali, whose aim is to help the government restore the rule of law by training local forces, will be reduced from 20 to 14.

Mali is now regarded as one of the most dangerous postings in the world. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a collective of al-Qaeda-style groups, and the Islamic State in