Starting today, July 1, 2023, the MINUSMA mission will begin the cessation of its operations, the transfer of its tasks and the reduction and withdrawal of its personnel, with the aim of completing this process by December 31, 2023.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to end a peacekeeping mission in Mali after Mali's military junta demanded, last June 16, the departure of the blue helmets "without delay". "Unfortunately, MINUSMA seems to have become part of the problem in fueling intercommunal tensions"Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said.
The Council welcomed the commitment of Mali's transitional government to complete the political transition, ensure the holding of free and fair presidential elections in February 2024 and ensure the restoration of constitutional order by March 2024. It also stated that in the within its means and capabilities “MINUSMA is empowered to respond to imminent threats of violence against civilians and to contribute to the safe delivery of civilian-led humanitarian assistance”. In collaboration with the cooperation of the transitional government of Mali, MINUSMA will ensure the security of United Nations personnel, premises, convoys, installations and equipment, as well as associated personnel; continue to monitor conditions around mission sites, carry out operations to extract UN personnel and humanitarian workers at risk; provide medical support, including medical evacuation of UN personnel.
There were various reactions to the end of the UN mission in Mali. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward, expressed regret that the withdrawal comes at a time of fragility in the Sahel region. Meanwhile, the White House accused Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin of helping engineer the departure of United Nations peacekeepers from Mali. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov "renewed his country's unconditional support to Mali in the military-technical field, as well as for humanitarian and economic assistance".
Mali will likely be even more dependent on the Russian mercenary group Wagner, estimated to have 1.000 fighters in the country, for "security support" once UN peacekeepers are gone.
How effective is and will Wagner be in Mali? Hard to say but surely it will not have the range of airstrike power, armored units and logistical support, backed by US satellite intelligence, that was at the disposal of the French force Barkhane Wagner's units seem more likely to prioritize holding a few key bases, from where they can venture out on raids and patrols, rather than an overall strategic push. I'm eager to see.
MINUSMA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali) was established by Security Council Resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in Mali and perform a variety of security-related tasks such as supporting the transitional authorities. With resolution 2164 of 25 June 2014, the Council also decided that the mission should focus on tasks, such as ensuring the security, stabilization and protection of civilians; support national political dialogue and reconciliation; and assisting in the restoration of state authority, the reconstruction of the security sector, and the promotion and protection of human rights in that country.
