Patterns of Deployment Driving Forces of German Military Participation in Multilateral Missions in Africa

Abstract

German government decisions on military contribution to multilateral missions show an uneven pattern. This thesis explores German practice of military deployments abroad by examining and comparing the decision-making processes of five cases where Germany either participated militarily in a multilateral mission in Africa, or refused to do so. The variables threat to national interests, prestige, alliance/partner value, and electoral politics, are assessed to explain the decisions of participation and non-participation. Additionally, the study brings in the concept of strategic culture, which is suited to explain variations in the attitudes towards the use of force. The thesis argues that multilateral commitments and the security relationship to partner France is key to understand German military engagement in Africa. Partner value and prestige provide a solution to the puzzle of why Germany provides support to military missions in states far from its own territory, that do not concern direct German national interests.