Chad’s transitional leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno welcomed Thursday November 30 home the country’s contingent that operated in Mali under the UN peacekeeping Mission known as MINUSMA for 10 ten years.
The Chadian leader, ‘Alwihda Info’ reports, congratulated soldiers and paid tribute to those who were lost during the counter-terrorism and peacekeeping Mission in northern Mali, especially Kidal.
Chad reportedly lost over 80 troops during the Mission.
President Deby Itno reportedly indicated that the return of the contingent symbolizes not only the end of an important stage in Chad’s commitment to fighting terrorism in the Sahel, but also the country’s continued commitment to regional stability and African cooperation. The Chadian troops were sent to Mali in 2013 to join a France-led international military Mission after the West African slid into chaos.
The Chadian contingent positioned in Kidal, the capital of Mali’s eight region controlled since 2013 by rebels, began their pullout in October 2023 after the UN Mission left the last camp it controlled in haste citing insecurity.
In July 2023, Mali demanded withdrawal of the UN Mission that it believed had not been efficient in eradicating terrorism in the West African country.
Last month, the Malian army announced the seizure of Kidal from the rebels and terrorist groups.