Canada’s peacekeeping contingent will stick around in Mali for an extra few weeks this summer in order to smooth the transition for the next country set to provide helicopter support for the United Nations mission in the war-torn country.
A detachment of helicopters providing transport and medical evacuation to the large UN mission was supposed to depart on July 31.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced Friday there will be a phased withdrawal of the two CH-147F Chinook helicopters — one of which is specially outfitted as a mobile air ambulance and surgical suite — as well as four armed CH-146 Griffon choppers, which provide escort.
Canada will continue to provide air medical support until the end of August, the ministers said following question period in the House of Commons.
“This is a practical and pragmatic plan to ensure a smooth transition,” said Freeland.
A contingent of Romanian helicopters is slated to replace the Canadian detachment this summer, but there were concerns it would not be in theatre and operational until fall.