On December 11, the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) officially ended its 10-year deployment in the country, after withdrawing troops at the request of the military government.
 |
| The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) plays an important role in ensuring security and order in the African country. (Source: AFP) |
MINUSMA chief El Ghassim Wane said the mission would leave proud of what it had achieved, but also aware of the limits of its operations.
According to the plan, after the deadline for completing the withdrawal on January 1, 2024, MINUSMA will carry out final procedures, including activities such as handing over equipment to Malian authorities.
All personnel not involved in these final operations will leave Mali by December 31, Mr. Wane stressed.
Together with Malian institutions and civil society groups, MINUSMA has facilitated several peace agreements in the West African country, and has funded numerous local projects in the areas ofeducation , health, food security and access to water.
Deployed in Mali since 2013, MINUSMA has 11,700 troops from 65 countries. Last June, the military government in Mali asked MINUSMA to leave the country amid deteriorating relations between the two sides.
The withdrawal of MINUSMA forces from Mali has exacerbated fighting between armed groups in the north fighting for control of the territory.
UN Resolution 2690, adopted by the Security Council on June 30, 2023, stipulates that “the coordinated, orderly and safe withdrawal of MINUSMA shall be completed by December 31, 2023, and the dissolution of the mission shall begin in January 2024.”
Source
Comment (0)