The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (Minusma), began this Tuesday, October 31, 2023, the withdrawal of all peacekeepers from Kidal. Kidal is a town in northern Mali that has long been prey to jihadists. At the time of Minusma’s departure, the region was still under the control of the rebels of the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD). After the departure of French troops, Mali obtained the withdrawal of UN troops. The army plans to move to Kidal in the coming days to begin negotiations with the Tuareg rebels, who have reportedly taken up arms.
The Departure
For several months, the Malian government, with Colonel Assimi Goïta at its head, had entered into open disagreement with Minusma. Consequently, during the United Nations Security Council last June, Mali obtained the effective withdrawal of this mission. The transitional government in Mali claims in particular that this mission failed and that it participated in the exploitation of human rights issues. It took therefore four months for this departure to take effect.
Around a hundred UN military and civilian vehicles left the city of Kidal this Tuesday. But curiously, as an escort, Minusma chose to position Chadian and Guinean soldiers. A dangerous position, especially when we know that the path, which will last approximately 5 days towards Gao, will be strewn with pitfalls such as mines and numerous rebels scattered everywhere. Having until December 31 to leave the entire country, Minusma has already left the Center and tNorth of Mali.
Minusma, 10 years of failure
As a reminder, Minusma was established and deployed in Mali in 2013 by the United Nations Security Council. Its main mission was to stabilize the jihadist situation in populous regions and to contribute to the restoration of state authority throughout the country. The mission had approximately 15,000 soldiers.
Several years later, jihadism has not regressed. The Malian authorities therefore felt that it was time for this mission to leave. The government has decided to regain sovereignty over its territory. Sending soldiers as reinforcements to Tessalit, a region recently liberated from Minusma, was a demonstration of that sovereignty.
