The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) handed over one of its last remaining camps, located in Mopti, to the Malian authorities on Friday. This marks significant progress in the mission’s withdrawal, which is scheduled to be complete by December 31st, 2023.
The handover occurred smoothly, unlike previous withdrawals in Mali’s volatile north, which were met with concerns about potential military escalation. The Mopti camp housed peacekeepers from Bangladesh and Togo and previously hosted contingents from Egypt, Pakistan, and Senegal.
“This handover signifies another step forward in the implementation of the Security Council resolution,” said MINUSMA spokesperson Fatoumata Kaba.
MINUSMA’s withdrawal has sparked concerns about increased fighting between Malian troops and armed factions vying for territorial control. The mission had deployed around 15,000 soldiers and police for a decade and lost over 180 members to hostile acts. As of Friday, over 10,500 peacekeepers and civilian personnel had departed Mali, representing significant progress towards the withdrawal deadline.
A ceremony marking the official closure of MINUSMA’s headquarters outside the capital Bamako will take place on Monday. Following this, a “liquidation phase” will begin in January, involving the handover of remaining equipment and the closure of additional sites in Bamako, Gao, and Timbuktu.
The withdrawal of MINUSMA comes after months of deteriorating relations with Mali’s ruling junta, which seized power in 2020. Despite ongoing jihadist activity and regional instability, the junta demanded the mission’s departure in June 2023.
While concerns remain about the potential for renewed conflict following MINUSMA’s withdrawal, the handover of the Mopti camp represents a significant step toward a complete transition. The mission’s long-term impact on Mali’s security situation will be closely monitored in the months and years to come.
