The mandate of Minusma, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, expires at the end of the month (June 30). The question of its renewal was debated by the UN Security Council on Monday, June 13, before being put to a vote on June 29. Minusma has been present in the country since 2013 and currently has nearly 15,000 peacekeepers and police, but relations with Bamako have deteriorated in recent months.
On both the Malian and UN sides, the renewal of the Minusma’s mandate is desired. All the official declarations point in this direction. In reality, it is a bit more complicated.
Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, noted that over the past three months, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has continued to implement its mandate on the basis of its three strategic priorities.
He said the uncertainty associated with the duration of the transition has made it more difficult to make progress in some areas, including a sustained commitment to the implementation of the 2015 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement.
Wane said the security situation remains volatile and is of particular concern along the tri-border area and in central Mali.
Mr. ABDOULAYE DIOP, Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said his government remains fully committed to the “diligent and intelligent” implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, which has made significant progress, particularly in the areas of politics, security, development, justice and reconciliation
Regarding the renewal of MINUSMA’s mandate, the Minister considered it essential to focus on the protection of civilians and support for the re-establishment of state authority throughout the country. In this regard, he said it was essential to better define the notion of protection of civilians in a context of asymmetric warfare. Mr. Diop also called for the mandate of MINUSMA to take into account the increased strength of Malian forces, which are now on the front lines against terrorist groups.
After stating that the Malian government has not taken any restrictive measures specifically targeting MINUSMA, the Minister hoped that the sanctions would be lifted very soon.