The Hungarians arrive in Takuba
(B2) That's it. It's decided. Budapest formally submitted to its parliament this week a proposal to initiate its participation in the European task force engaged in the Sahel
Task force initiated by France, but which will soon be commanded by a Swede.
80 men maximum
The Hungarian participation will not only be symbolic. Hungary intends to commit up to 80 soldiers (maximum ceiling). In reality, they will probably be a little less. But they will be at the forehead ". The Hungarian special operations forces will ensure the " advising, supporting and mentoring Malian forces in combat “, specifies the resolution.
Two-year commitment
The first Hungarian contingent should be deployed in the first quarter of 2022. But a first preparatory deployment of around twenty soldiers should take place by the end of 2021. There will then be a four-month rotation “ adapting to Takuba's operational tasks and strategy implementation ". The duration of the appointment — according to the declaration made to the national parliament — is two years, until December 2023.
Gesture of solidarity and political objective
For Budapest, this commitment is justified by " the desire to be an active and credible contributor to Euro-Atlantic security ". But also for a reason that resonates particularly in the Hungarian countryside: migratory pressure. " One of the causes of the pressure from the south is the terrorist threat in the sub-Saharan region explains Szilárd Németh, the Parliamentary State Secretary for Defence. Hungary " is therefore ready to increase its contribution to security in the region. It is in our national interest to play a role He adds.
NB: this commitment by Hungary was sealed during an interview between French President Emmanuel Macron and his alter ego Hungarian Viktor Orban, a few months ago already. Interview which also had a very political armistice value in the skirmishes between the two leaders. We can think that the holding of the commitment by Budapest should be guaranteed on a reciprocity of Paris on other files.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
Agnes Faure st. contributed to this article
