Mali adamant on seeing UN peacekeeping leaving by December 31st

Mali has refused to extend the timeline for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to withdraw from the country beyond the deadline of December 31st, as previously agree despite confrontations between the Army and rebels and terrorist groups in the north.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution end of June 2023 for the mission in place in the country since 2013 to leave at the request of Malian authorities who have accused the mission for failing to end violence in the country, especially in the north controlled by rebel groups and terrorist organizations.

Under the resolution, the pullout should be complete by December 31 and the process has already started.

The UN last week expressed concerns about the ongoing warfare between the Malian Army and rebels on one side, and terrorist groups on the other.

The Malian Army has embarked on the conquest of various bases left by the MINUSMA, in the north in a move to take full control of the country.

The rebels are opposed to the handover of the bases to the Army.

Abdoullaye Diop, the country’s top diplomat, late last week re-iterated authorities’ commitment to the end of December deadline. The diplomat underlined the country’s position during a meeting with the diplomatic corps, in a reaction to the UN concerns.

“The government has no plans to extend this deadline. So, everything must be done to ensure that MINUSMA’s work can be completed by December 31,” he added.