Chad’s soldiers sent to Mali for peace keeping operation return home

Chad’s transitional leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno welcomed home earlier this week the country’s contingent that operated in Mali under the UN peace keeping Mission known as MINUSMA for 10 ten years.

The Chadian leader congratulated the soldiers and paid tribute to those lost during the counter-terrorism and peace keeping Mission in northern Mali, especially Kidal, ‘Alwihda Info’ reports.

Chad reportedly lost over 80 troops during the Mission.

President Deby Itno indicated that the return of the contingent symbolizes not only the end of an important stage in Chad’s commitment to fighting terrorism in the Sahel, but also the country’s continued commitment to regional stability and African cooperation. The Chadian troops were sent to Mali in 2013 to join a France-led international military mission after the West African slid into chaos.

The Chadian contingent positioned in Kidal, the capital of Mali’s eightieth region controlled since 2013 by rebels, began their pullout in October 2023 after the UN Mission left the last camp it controlled in haste citing insecurity.

In July 2023, Mali demanded withdrawal of the UN Mission that it believed has not been efficient in eradicating terrorism in the West African country.

Last month, the Malian army announced the seizure of Kidal from the rebels and terrorist groups.