UN officially concludes mission in Mali, Guterres states

As stated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in accordance with the Security Council Resolution, the peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) completed the withdrawal of its contingent from the African country by December 31, 2023.

During the ten years of service in Mali, 311 peacekeepers lost their lives, and more than 700 were injured, he mentioned.

The UN specified that as of January 1, 2024, the phase of liquidation of the mission in Mali would commence. A reduced team under the Department of Operational Support leadership will remain at the Gao and Bamako facilities. Their task involves overseeing the transfer of assets to countries that have deployed their troops and police as part of the Mission in Mali.

Additionally, the UN Secretary-General confirmed the organization's commitment to working with the people of Mali and the interim transitional government to restore constitutional order and promote peace, security, and sustainable development in the country.

UN peacekeeping mission in Mali

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council Resolution 2100 on April 25, 2013. Its goal is to support political processes in the country and undertake various tasks to ensure security.

In June, the temporary military authorities in Mali requested the UN to withdraw its peacekeeping forces.

Earlier, the interim government of Mali declared the head of the UN peacekeeping mission's human rights section persona non grata, giving her 48 hours to leave the country.

It was also reported that on December 22, 2023, French forces stationed in Niger left the country, marking the end of a ten-year operation in the Sahel region of Africa.