Security Council members also expressed strong support for the full withdrawal of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the transfer of security responsibilities to the country’s transitional Government, which has been in power since a government in the year 2021.
Praising the peacekeeping operation and its staff, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “the full cooperation of the transitional Government for the orderly withdrawal and safety of the staff and property of the mission in the coming months,” Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman he said.
The UN chief also urged all parties to the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali “to continue to respect the ceasefire as MINUSMA withdraws”, Mr Haq said.
However, the UN chief is concerned by the fact that the level and duration of commitment money the required authority to facilitate the discharge process has been granted significantly reduced during the budget negotiations in the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, the deputy spokesman said, adding that “this increases the complexities and risks of the drawdown operation”.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General will continue to engage with the transitional Government on how best to serve the interests of the Malian people in collaboration with the UN Country Team in Mali, the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS ) and others. partners.
Security Council’s unanimous support
According to the terms of the adopted decision, MINUSMA will start down its front on Saturday and will be completely withdrawn from Mali by 1 January 2024.
The commission also authorized the mission to respond forcefully to imminent threats of violence against civilians and contribute to the civilian security delivery of humanitarian aid, until 30 September.
Established by the Council in 2013 following a coup the previous year, the mission’s existence, as of February 2023, stands at more than 15,000 peopleaccording to MINUSMA.
Media reports have shown a severe landscape protection. In the past decade, Mali and the Sahel region have seen it prepared in fights and attacks by armed groups and terrorist affiliates, including 303 peace killedaccording to MINUSMA.
Conditions have also worsened due to climate shocks, and inter-regional tensions over scarce resources have become the main drivers of continued violence, mass displacement, instability, and cross-border trafficking.
The ‘vital role’ of the UN mission
Conveying the common message from the Council members, Ghanaian Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman said resolution is an important signadding that MINUSMA has played a “significant role” in Mali’s security amid many challenges.
Many Council members agree that reducing the mission does not end the international community’s assistance to Mali. Russian Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said that Moscow will continue to provide support, including on a bilateral basis.
A MINUSMA armored vehicle in Aguelhock, Mali.
Security concerns
Many council members, including United Kingdom representative Barbara Woodward, warned that withdrawal was taking place period of weakness in the Sahel region.
Expressing those concerns, Ambassador for the United States Jeffrey DeLaurentis said that every effort should be made to address such issues as in the presence of martial artists, including the Wagner GroupA Russian-based private security contractor that media reports have pointed to as operating in Mali.
“By the way We regret the decision of the transitional Government to abandon MINUSMA and the fact that this will harm the population of Mali, we voted in favor of the decision because we are satisfied with the withdrawal plan we received,” he said.
Mali: Government pledges full support
In the meantime MINUSMA did not achieve all its goalsMali Ambassador Issa Konfourou said the mission has made gains in areas such as human rights.
Before withdrawing, he said the Malian Government will ensure compliance with the terms of mission disclosure within the established schedule.
In addition, Mali will continue to work tirelessly to protect civilians throughout its territory, he said, pay tribute to the peacekeepers‘ interventions.
However, he regrets that the Council continues to consider the current situation in Mali as a “threat to international security”, referring to the benefits that have been made such as the reform of the constitution and the continuation of the Algiers Protocol to achieve perfect peace
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