Flight EW9047 from Berlin/Tegel to Düsseldorf has just reached its cruising altitude. I enjoy the peace and quiet, lean back and think about yesterday evening: "Ceremony for participants in mandated peace missions, the bilateral project in Afghanistan and FRONTEX missions". It was my first time at such an event and I didn't know exactly what to expect. Now I know. With this event, the Federal Ministry of the Interior expresses its appreciation for the civil servants and their families who have decided to go on a foreign mission and have returned from their respective foreign deployment this year. A truly successful evening. A magnificent ballroom in the former Bolle dairy in Berlin. Over 300 invited guests, a prominent supporting program, good catering and some very interesting speeches, including an impressive address by the former inspector of the NRW police and current chairman of the AG IPM (International Police Missions Working Group) Dieter Wehe, in which he emphasized the importance of international police missions for Germany.

But there was more. I met "my contingent" again. We were a total of ten former "MINUSMA" (United Nations Mission in Mali) blue helmets who were able to meet up again on this occasion and not only rehashed the stories from back then, but also talked excitedly and curiously about coming back, future plans and experiences from Mali. A really successful evening that didn't want to end until late.

Now I'm leaning back in my seat on the plane and asking myself: "What's left after 15 months abroad in Mali?" I can still clearly remember how we flew from cold and wet Germany via Paris to hot and humid Bamako in April 2018. Heat, dust and uncertainty were my main concerns at the time. Only gradually was I able to enjoy the foreign culture and then discover it with curiosity. I had to respect, discover and understand not only the many facets of Mali, but also the different cultures of my colleagues at UNPol (the police component of the UN mission), who came from a total of 26 countries. I got to know and appreciate great people and we were able to laugh a lot alongside the really intensive and exhausting work. I am still in contact with some of them today, so I can say that I now have friendly ties with Mali, Be-nin, Niger, Ghana, Burkina-Faso, Senegal, France, Portugal, Canada and the Netherlands. Although I had to give up my name and was called either "Guindo", "Monsieurle COS", "Mon Général" or "CP 0798" (Charly Papa zéro sept neuf huit), even with these new names I was able to help shape some processes in and for Mali during my 15 months with the UN and support this country on its difficult path out of the crisis. In 2018, for example, it was possible to hold largely peaceful, equal and democratic elections in Mali. This is certainly a success to which MINUSMA has made a significant contribution and of which we can be justifiably proud. However, there are also the achievements that were made by highly motivated colleagues beyond the scope of their service. Examples include soccer training for orphans and the construction of an elementary school in Mopti.

But there are also the 15 months in which I was only with my family for vacations. My wife and children had to organize themselves without me. And the three of them did really well. Nevertheless, as a father and husband, I naturally missed them because I wasn't available as usual, even though Internet video telephony makes this possible in principle. However, a video call is different to a real face-to-face conversation with real closeness. After my return in July 2019, the familiar family model with my father and husband was brought back to life.

The pilot has just announced that we are about to reach our destination. I think to myself: "Right, I'll be back soon!" In my mind, however, I'm not from Berlin, but from another world. From a world that was exciting, challenging and incredibly enriching. My mission abroad in Mali. I would of course like to thank my family and all those who prepared us for the mission, looked after us during it and followed it up with us. A big thank you goes to Department 13 (foreign assignments) at LAFP NRW in Brühl. And then, of course, there is "my contingent". Thank you! You did a great job, despite the adverse circumstances you took the strain and always acted as really good team players. That was outstanding! Shortly before landing, I ask myself: "What is left after 15 months abroad in Mali?" Satisfaction, pride, new friendships and perhaps the desire for another mission. In any case, it is clear that my time in Mali has grounded me. Things that we take for granted here in Germany, cold and warm drinking water at all times, clean air, safe roads, diseases that my body can deal with, a stable political system, respect for human rights, ... I could go on and on. We take all these things for granted. But only now can I appreciate their true value and I am deeply grateful that I can live in such a safe and highly developed country.

For me, my mission abroad is now over. I am happy and grateful that I was able to have this experience. I wish all those who are preparing for a mission abroad or are currently working in one that they - like me - come back safe and sound and with many new experiences.

"Stay safe!" and one last "Charly Papa 0798, over and out".