The decision on the termination of the UN Mali mission (Minusma) has been shifted from Thursday to Friday due to ongoing diplomatic talks, insiders confirmed on Tuesday.
On the 16th of June, in a sudden move that left many startled, Mali‘s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, called for the “immediate withdrawal” of Minusma, citing its “failure”.
As the approval of the host nation is a fundamental principle of peacekeeping efforts, a draft resolution led by France, who holds a primary role in the Mali case at the Security Council, suggests bringing the mission to a close whilst allowing a six-month timeframe for the exit of the over 12,000 soldiers and police personnel deployed, based on information from diplomatic sources.
However, due to ongoing dialogues amongst the Council members, the United Nations, and Mali, the originally planned vote for Thursday has been shifted to Friday, the final day of Minusma’s present mandate, one diplomatic source reported.
Another source disclosed to AFP that Mali had requested a reduction of the six-month exit period.
A brief duration would call into question the practicality of the withdrawal process.
“To relocate thousands of peacekeepers, along with their kit, facilities, and support staff, requires time”, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, pointed out on Monday, advocating for a “reasonable schedule”.
The United States, expressing regret over Mali’s decision, urged an “orderly and responsible withdrawal”.
Shortly after the statement by Mali’s minister, the head of Minusma, El Ghassim Wane, stated that the continuation of the mission, launched in 2013 to assist in stabilising the country which was under threat of collapse due to jihadist pressures and to safeguard civilians, had become “almost impossible”.
Relations between Bamako, the capital of Mali, and the UN Mali mission have seen a considerable decline since the military ascended to power in 2020.
