The UN peacekeepers stationed at the Goundam camp in the Tombouctou region of Mali have been withdrawn, according to an announcement made by the UN on August 17. This marks the third Minusma base to be dismantled, following the closures of Ber and Ansongo. The complete withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from Mali is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2023.
Closure of MINUSMA bases in Ber and Goundam, #Timbuktu region.
📖👉🏿 https://t.co/dXxV0cDtTe pic.twitter.com/utxHpvxKRN
— MINUSMA (@UN_MINUSMA) August 17, 2023
The recent withdrawal from Goundam involved the departure of Ivorian soldiers, UN police officers, and Bangladeshis. The UN stated that these peacekeepers played a crucial role in protecting the local population despite facing regular attacks from extremist groups using improvised explosive devices. The region where the Goundam camp was located is known for its high levels of insecurity and the presence of extremist groups.
The withdrawal from the Ber base was also “anticipated” due to security concerns. The Malian army claims to have regained control of the area, despite clashes with terrorist groups and the ambitions of the former Tuareg rebellion. The Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist alliance, claimed responsibility for an attack on peacekeepers in Ber.
The Malian junta, which came to power through a military coup, has emphasized sovereignty and has taken steps to assert its independence. This includes breaking its alliance with France and turning towards Russia for military and political support. The junta has also expressed reluctance towards the presence of Minusma in Mali and requested the immediate withdrawal of the mission in a letter to the UN Security Council. In response, the Security Council decided to terminate the mandate of Minusma by June 30, 2023, as stated in resolution 2640 (2022).
Source: UN News