Mali–Netherlands relations
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The Mali–Netherlands relations refers to the current diplomatic and military ties between the Republic of Mali and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Diplomatic missions
The Netherlands Embassy is located on Rue 437 Hippodrome, in the capital of Bamako, Mali. The head of the mission is Embassodor Maarten Adriaan Brouwer. Mali holds an Honorary consulate in Rotterdam.{{Cite web|url=http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy8308/|title=Embassy of the Netherlands in Bamako, Mali|website=www.embassypages.com|access-date=2016-08-23}}
File:131128 Timmermans en Hennis bij Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta president Mali 4685 (12771302915).jpg
U.N mission in Northern Mali
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Dutch servicemen killed:
- Captain Rene Zeetsen, age 26, (DOD) 17 March 2015, Apache crash {{convert|26|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} north of Gao
- First Lieutenant Ernst Mollinger, age 26, (DOD) 17 March 2015, Apache crash {{convert|26|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} north of Gao
- Corporal Kevin Roggeveld, age 29, (DOD) 6 July 2016, Explosive mortar round, Kidal
- Sergeant Henry Hoving, age 24, (DOD) 6 July 2016, Explosive mortar round, Kidal
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The Netherlands have contributed a 450-strong Special Forces and intelligence gathering contingent to serve in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans in July 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-security-dutch-idUSKBN0FE1YF20140709|title=Dutch special forces in Mali tackle changing threat: minister|date=2014-07-09|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=2016-08-23}}
The Dutch army contingent was headed by General Tom Middendorp until 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41498523|title=Dutch minister resigns over Mali deaths|date=2017-10-04|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en-GB}} Four Dutch peacekeeping troops have been killed and an Apache helicopter lost since 2015;{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-un-netherlands-idUSKBN0MD2AZ20150317|title=Two Dutch airmen dead in Mali helicopter crash: officials|date=2015-03-17|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=2016-08-23}}{{Cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mali-un-idUKKCN0ZM28B|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707151445/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mali-un-idUKKCN0ZM28B|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2016|title=Two Dutch soldiers killed in Mali peacekeeping accident|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-08-23}}
Dutch Defense Minister resignation
On 4 October 2017, Dutch Minister of Defense, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, resigned over the deaths of 2 Dutch servicemen and gravely wounding of another in a training accident in Mali in July 2016. The Dutch Safety Board ruled that the military had been using old, defective grenades that had not been tested or stored correctly. General Middendorp also resigned his position due to these failures.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Foreign relations of Mali}}
{{Foreign relations of the Netherlands}}
{{Portal bar|Politics|Mali|Netherlands}}
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