MALI’S Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop called on Friday for the United Nations peacekeepers to leave the country immediately, claiming they had not fulfilled their mission in addressing the Islamic insurgency that has plagued Mali for over a decade.
In a speech to the United Nations Security Council, Minister Diop expressed his dissatisfaction with the UN mission, stating that it had not achieved its objectives and had fostered distrust among the Malian people.
Since 2012, Mali has been grappling with an Islamic extremist insurgency. Although extremist rebels were initially ousted from power in the northern cities with the assistance of a French-led military operation the following year, they regrouped in the desert and resumed attacks on the Malian army and its allies.
A contingent of more than 15,000 UN peacekeepers arrived a few months later, making it one of the most perilous UN missions worldwide. According to the UN, at least 170 peacekeepers have been killed in Mali since 2013.
‘The Malian government asks for the withdrawal without delay’ of the peacekeepers, Minister Diop asserted during his speech. He criticised the mission for its inadequate response to the security situation in Mali and highlighted that its future outlook did not address the security needs of the Malian people.
Mali has been under the rule of a military junta led by Col. Assimi Goita since 2020. The presence of mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner Group, engaged in Moscow’s conflict with Ukraine, has strained relations with the international community.
In recent months, the Malian government has limited the peacekeepers’ operations, leading countries such as Benin, Germany, Sweden, Cote d’Ivoire, and the United Kingdom to announce troop withdrawals.
Minister Diop’s demand coincided with the Security Council’s discussion on the mandate of the UN mission, set to expire on June 30.
US Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis expressed frustration with Mali’s ongoing restrictions against the peacekeeping mission’s freedom of movement and access during the meeting.
Conflict analysts view Mali’s demand as concerning. Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, described it as a ‘grim development,’ suggesting that it reflects the junta’s desire to maintain a firm grip on power and respond to mounting public pressure following numerous protests.
However, many Malians argue that the presence of UN peacekeepers has not brought stability to the country. Mohamed Sissoko, a resident of the capital city, Bamako, voiced his disappointment, saying, ‘Despite the presence of the [UN], we don’t have peace.’
The spokesperson for the U.N. mission in Mali, Fatoumata Kaba, stated that the UN would respond to the request but could not provide an immediate comment.
On Sunday, Mali is scheduled to hold a long-awaited referendum on a new constitution as a step toward the upcoming elections set for February next year.
