It calls on Mali to “withdraw without delay” from the UN mission in the country, MINUSMA

With our correspondent in New York, Carrie Naughton

It’s been whispered that Mali will make a big exit today in the council chamber, but only the permanent members seem to have envisioned that outcome. This request for the immediate withdrawal of the MINUSMA Division, while the transitional authorities seemed keen on this force a few months ago and that negotiations to renew the mandate should take place within the next two weeks.

“ Mali government calls for immediate withdrawal of MINUSMA. However, the government is ready to cooperate with the United Nations in this regard. Abdallahi Diop announced, rejecting at the same time all options for the development of the mandate of the peacekeeping mission proposed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Abdallah Diop explained that after nearly ten years in the field, MINUSMA was a failure. “ Minusma appears to have become part of the problem by inflaming societal tensions that have been exacerbated by allegations of extreme danger and are deeply damaging to peace, reconciliation and national cohesion in Mali. “, Saucepan. ” This position generates feeling Mistrust of the population regarding Minusma and a crisis of confidence between the financial authorities and Minusma he insisted.

On the other hand, the Malian foreign minister did not respond to the Council’s concerns about the obstacle to the freedom of movement of the blue helmets by his country. Bamako also believes that the recommendation of the Secretary-General of Airfoil reduction and refocusing functions Minusma does not meet his needs.

Finally, he took the time to justify himself Massacre in Mora In 2022, the High Commissioner for Human Rights denounced the responsibility of the Malian forces and denounced the investigation. To him, his army had only wiped out a nest of terrorists that no other force would dare attack. Perhaps it was this reference in Antonio Guterres’ report, a few days ago, that would have set the gunpowder on fire.

“ It is almost impossible » Carry out a mission under these conditions

After Bamako’s request, the head of the UN Mission in Mali, Elgassim Wani, explained that this made the UN peacekeeping operation “ Almost impossible .” This is a decision made by the Council [de sécurité]But what I want to do, and everyone agrees on that, is that peacekeeping is based on the principle of the consent of the host country, and without this consent, operations are almost impossible. he told the press.

To read also: Mali: a march to demand the departure of Minusma