The UN peacekeeping operation in Mali is poised to complete its withdrawal on Sunday, following a decade of multifaceted efforts to support the country.

The Malian authorities had requested earlier this year to end the mission by December 31

The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali was deployed to Mali in 2013, following a violent insurrection by separatist rebels attempting to take control of the north of the country and a subsequent military-led coup.

Established by UN Security Council resolution 2100, the mission included more than 15,000 troops and personnel who served in cities and towns around the country.

“I think our work impacted the lives of many civilians in Mali,” El-Ghassum Wane, outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of MINUSMA, said.

In its decade of operations, MINUSMA aided Mali in tackling multiple challenges.

Among the UN’s most challenging peacekeeping missions, it has suffered more than 300 fatalities of its troops and personnel amid continuing extremist violence and rampant insecurity across much of the north and centre.

MINUSMA supported the political process and carried out a number of security-related stabilisation tasks, with a focus on major population centres, protecting civilians, human rights monitoring, creating conditions for providing humanitarian assistance and the return of displaced persons as well as preparing free, inclusive and peaceful elections.

The peace operation also was tasked with using necessary means to address threats to the implementation of its mandate, including the protection of civilians under imminent threat of physical violence and protection of UN personnel from residual threats, within its capabilities and its areas of deployment.

Mali’s foreign affairs minister requested the withdrawal of MINUSMA in a related UN Security Council meeting on June 16.

On the same day, the transitional government issued a communiqué reiterating its demand for the UN mission to leave without delay.

The UN peacekeeping mandates are determined by the Security Council, but politically and practically, missions cannot operate without the support and cooperation of the host authorities.

On 30 June, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2690 effectively terminating MINUSMA’s previous mandate and requesting the transfer of its tasks as well as the safe and orderly drawdown and withdrawal of the Mission by December 31, 2023, to be followed by a liquidation period.

To fulfil this goal, MINUSMA developed an integrated withdrawal plan based on ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel, meeting the 31 December 31 deadline, safeguarding the mission’s legacy and preserving an environment conducive to long-term UN engagement in Mali.

Since July 1, MINUSMA has gradually withdrawn its personnel and handed over its bases to Malian civilian authorities where possible.

Over the past six months, MINUSMA has been withdrawing its personnel under challenging security circumstances. On Sunday, the mission will have completed its drawdown.

The start of the liquidation period begins on Monday, January 1, 2024.

MINUSMA chief Wane said the mission might be leaving, but the UN will remain in Mali.

“UN funds, agencies and programmes were in Mali well before the deployment of MINUSMA and will stay in Mali well after the withdrawal,” he said.

(NAN)