UN Security Council ends peacekeeping mission in Mali

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - The UN Security Council voted on Friday to conclude its peacekeeping mission in Mali.

The vote follows the Malian government's request for the immediate termination of MINUSMA (Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali).

The Council unanimously agreed to end MINUSMA's mandate.

The resolution underscored the ongoing threat to international peace and security posed by the situation in Mali.

Starting on Saturday, the process of ceasing operations, transferring responsibilities, and safely withdrawing personnel from MINUSMA will commence.

The process is anticipated to be finalized by Dec. 31, 2023, with the official dissolution of the mission commencing on Jan. 1, 2024.

During the UN Security Council session on June 16, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop urged for the immediate termination of MINUSMA.

Established on April 25, 2013, in response to the security crisis in Mali, the mission currently comprises over 13,000 soldiers and nearly 2,000 police officers.

MINUSMA has gained a reputation as the peacekeeping mission with the highest number of casualties worldwide.

The conclusion of the operation comes after years of tensions and government constraints that have impeded peacekeeping activities by air and ground forces. These challenges have been exacerbated since Mali partnered with Russia's Wagner group in 2021.

The private military group was recently involved in an armed mutiny in Russia.