Bamako, Mali – According to United Nations Peacekeeping site, the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap.
As of June 2022, the total deployed number of personnel stood at 17,557, however by May 2024 this number is expected to decrease by 1400, as Germany is set to exit the mission after 10 years of operation in the rebellion-hit country.
The government will propose to parliament that Germany’s commitment to the MINUSMA operation be extended “in May 2023 for the last time by a year, in order to bring this mission to a structured end after 10 years” spokesman Steffen Heberstreit said in a statement.
This decision had factored in Mali’s planned elections in February 2024, he added, following talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his coalition partners the Greens and liberal FDP.
The European country faced a myriad of challenges in recent months, repeatedly having to suspend reconnaissance patrols after being denied flyover rights by the military government.
There have been growing tensions between the UN mission and Mali’s military rulers following the alleged arrival of Wagner Operatives from Russia to give the government forces a shot in the arm.
The United Nations however, said that they were yet to receive official notification of German’s withdrawal, adding MINUSMA and the people of Mali needed the continued support of other countries.
The decision on withdrawing from the UN mission, and the timing had caused tensions within Germany’s ruling coalition, local media rep