UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali Completes Withdrawal, Raising Concerns of Increased Instability
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, is set to conclude its withdrawal from the country on Sunday, according to a statement from the United Nations. As MINUSMA completes its departure, security experts are warning of potential power struggles in the north, where rebel groups and the national army may vie for control of areas vacated by the UN. This development raises concerns about further destabilization in Mali, a nation already grappling with Islamist militants associated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Violence in Mali has surged since June when the military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, ordered the departure of the decade-old UN peacekeeping mission. The UN emphasized that a small team would remain to oversee the transportation of assets and disposal of UN-owned equipment.
El-Ghassum Wane, the chief of MINUSMA, stated, "UN funds, agencies, and programs were in Mali well before the deployment of MINUSMA and will stay in Mali well after the withdrawal." This indicates that despite the conclusion of the peacekeeping mission, the UN remains committed to providing support and assistance to the people of Mali through other channels.
The peacekeeping mission in Mali was initiated in 2013 following a violent insurrection by separatist rebels aiming to control the northern part of the country, coupled with a subsequent military-led coup. Mali has since become the epicenter of a violent movement that has spread across West Africa, leading to mass displacements of millions of people.
As MINUSMA completes its withdrawal, the international community closely monitors the situation in Mali, with concerns about potential power vacuums and increased violence in the region. The fate of the nation hangs in the balance as it navigates through these challenging times.
