The presence of Dutch soldiers in Mali has become more important since rebel groups took over the north of the African country, according to UN envoy Bert Koenders.

Koenders, the former Dutch government minister who is leading UN peacekeeping efforts in Mali, was speaking to broadcaster Nos during a surprise visit to the Dutch military camp by defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Monday.

According to Koenders, the situation has become more complex but not more dangerous since rebels killed dozens of Malian soldiers in the northern town of Kidal and took over the area.

Eyes and ears

The UN envoy told the Nos the Dutch soldiers are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the mission, in an area plagued by groups ranging from Tuareg rebels to drugs smugglers.

‘Until now there was no intelligence gathering in the north of the country,’ Koenders said. ‘That’s what our Apache helicopters are for, together with special forces which will push much further into the northern region.’

The Dutch have sent 70 military analysts to join the unit gathering intelligence from headquarters in the capital Bamako and the northern city of Gao, and a reconnaisance unit of 90 special forces and 60 soldiers with four Apache helicopters which are stationed in Gao.

Visit

Defence minister Hennis made her surprise visit to the camp at Gao to see the circumstances under which the Dutch soldiers are operating. She told the Nos she was impressed by what they have built up under ‘really extreme circumstances’ in the two months they have been there.

The Dutch mission will continue until at least the end of 2015.