President Karis remarked that the professionalism, degree of training and team spirit among Estonia’s servicemen formed a strong foundation that would serve them well in fulfilling their duties on the mission, even in the most trying circumstances.
“Every single one of our soldiers is of value to me, as is every single member of your families,” the head of state said. “Those you leave behind here bear just as much of the burden of your mission as you yourselves. That is why my respect and thanks go out to them as they go out to you.”
Speaking of the Mali mission, President Karis said that there is a clear reason for the involvement of the Estonian Defence Forces in the African country and a clear link between it and homeland security. “The impact of distant conflicts is felt more broadly than in the place they are happening alone,” he advised. “Sooner or later, the spread of terrorism, instability and resulting migration flows threaten European security. Mali, and indeed the wider Sahel region, is of key importance in this regard.”
The head of state said that Estonia is contributing to the Mali mission in order to support its allies. “It is a question of solidarity,” he remarked. “And needless to say it gives our allies more reason to support us in turn. As you are all aware, French soldiers form part of our NATO combat forces at present, ready to defend Estonian security here on our home soil, just as we stand shoulder to shoulder with them in Mali.”
Heading up the contingent that is set to join Operation Barkhane in Mali, Major Rauno Vahimets explained that meeting with the President of the Republic prior to heading out on a mission was a long-standing tradition. “It gives the unit extra motivation and shows them that they are appreciated,” he said. “Estonia’s security depends on many things, one of them being good relations with our allies, which are supported by us serving with them on foreign missions.”
At the core of the Estonian contingent bound for Mali is the BKN-11 ESTPLA infantry group, which comprises members of the Scouts Battalion. They will take the place of the contingent that has been involved in Operation Barkhane since August. The main tasks of the Estonian soldiers on the mission are to man the gates and observation posts at the Gao base, to fulfil the role of a rapid response unit and to patrol the streets of Gao and its surroundings. In addition to the servicemen at its core, the contingent includes a specialist support unit. Cooperation with allied units and the activities of the Estonian contingent are supported and coordinated by the contingent’s senior officer.
The Estonian unit, which has been serving since September, will operate from the French base on the banks of the Niger River in the city of Gao. The unit’s rotation in Mali will last until the end of December, when it will hand over its duties to the next Estonian contingent.
The French-led Operation Barkhane is designed to support the fight against armed terrorist groups in five countries in the Sahel region: Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. The operation has been running since 1 August 2014.
