The End of the United Nations Peace Mission in Mali

After a vote held at the end of June, the UN Security Council has decided to withdraw peacekeeping forces from Mali. Previously, Mali's military junta denounced the peacekeeping forces stating that they caused more issues than they stopped. This refusal to work with UN forces was the final nail in the coffin of the UN's mission in Mali, as it would be unprecedented to continue a mission without the cooperation of the host nation. The UN's Security Council Vote formerly put an end to the peacekeeping mission. 

To the many European nations participating in the peacekeeping mission, the end of the peacekeeping missions marks the start of Mali's new alliance with Russia. The Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group, has a large presence in Africa protecting regimes from attempted coups. With the recent events involving the Wagner Group and the Russian government, it is uncertain whether the Wagner Group will aid Mali's junta. Despite the uncertainty, Mali's government is taking a step toward democracy with elections in the country being held just a few weeks ago. 

Many security experts think that believe that the end of the peacekeeping mission in Mali leaves the country open to Islamic extremism. Previous rebel groups were promised a role in constitutional conversations under a UN agreement. The withdrawal from the UN leaves the groups involved in the Azawad Movements with no peaceful way to negotiate with the government, which will likely lead to another rebellion. Experts also believe that Mali's military is simply not equipped to deal with the rampant extremism within the country, with Bloomberg describing the armed forces as "ramshackle". Many believe that the military junta will struggle to hold onto control, especially now they have distanced themselves from Western allies. 

The UN Withdrawal from Mali: Can the Country Remain Stable?

On the 16th of June, the military junta in Mali called for the withdrawal of all UN troops from the nation. The mission, scheduled to end at the end of the month, has created more unrest according to many Malians. Citizens of the West African country feel that United Nations troops have worsened the terror crisis during their ten-year-long campaign. Despite Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Doip calling for the immediate withdrawal of UN troops at a UN peace conference in New York, a vote to extend the mission's length is still on the agenda at the 30th June Security Council Meeting. Even if the resolution passes, the Chief of the UN's Mission in Mali, El Ghassim Wane, claimed that the mission would be virtually impossible without the cooperation of the country's government. These demands come at a crucial time in the country's history, with elections being held on Sunday, 18th June.

The response from UN forces and groups within Mali has been mixed. One of the most vocal critics of Mali's call for withdrawal is Germany. The country, with over one thousand troops deployed in Mali, remains committed to the planned 2024 withdrawal. Officials in Berlin say the calls for withdrawal from the Malian military government are politically motivated, as the African nation strengthens its relationship with Russia. The Russia-affiliated Wagner Group has also been extremely active in the country.

Everyday citizens of Mali have mixed views on the calls for withdrawal. The UN Mission in Mali is more than just a militaristic force, with many of the fifteen thousand troops deployed in the country serving in logistical roles. After bombings from Islamic extremists, UN troops would assist in rebuilding efforts as well as protecting important libraries housing treasured documents. However, many feel that the UN's role in Mali is not proactive enough. People perceive them as a purely defensive force, only acting after terror incidents. Despite this, many in the country's capital, Timbuktu, do see the usefulness of the forces, which protect the city from major terror incidents. The UN mission in Mali also brings an economic boost, with fifteen thousand well-paid workers in the country. Communities where the UN is active experience economic boom periods. Citizens also fear that the withdrawal of UN troops will allow Islamic extremists and rebels to wreak havoc in the country. Significant progress has been made in peace talks with rebels and extremists. The UN, in conjunction with the Algerian Government, has helped mediate peace talks between the Malian Government and the Coordination of Azawad Movements, a coalition of rebels and Arab nationalist organisations. As the military government in Mali moves towards opening the polls, these groups feel left out of constitutional discussions. In December, the groups pulled out of prearranged agreements overseen by the UN, declaring that they will only rejoin these agreements if they are renegotiated by a neutral party. Now, with talks of the government no longer desiring UN assistance, citizens fear that peaceful negotiations with these groups will not be possible, potentially resulting in a civil war.