Subject: Military escalation in Mali concerns the UN and threatens the withdrawal of the UN mission
The escalation of violence in northern Mali has aroused concern at the UN and calls into question the timetable for the departure of the Blue Helmets. The Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and the Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP), bringing together the movements that signed the 2015 peace agreement, are engaged in clashes, while the United Nations Mission has already begun its withdrawal from the country.
Recent events bear witness to this escalation, with the deployment of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries from Wagner to Tessalit and the movement of the FAMA towards Kidal. At the same time, the CSP announced that it had recovered old checkpoints abandoned by Minusma, which fueled the conflict between the two parties.
Researcher Ibrahim Maïga, special advisor for the Sahel at International Crisis Group, underlines the importance of achieving a ceasefire and mediation to resolve this delicate situation. It is essential that the signatory movements of the CSP recognize the legitimacy of the Malian State to regain control of these positions, in accordance with UN directives, while the Malian State must take into account its security commitments towards these signatory groups. .
Negotiations are necessary to find a solution, and Minusma still has the capacity to facilitate these meetings between the different parties. Furthermore, the recent visit of the Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Mali shows that there are other actors involved in resolving this conflict.
However, trust between conflicting parties remains a major challenge to overcome. This can make negotiations complex and difficult to complete.
In conclusion, the alarming situation in Mali accentuates the concerns of the UN and jeopardizes the withdrawal of the UN mission. It is urgent that the parties involved in the conflict reach a ceasefire and agree to mediation to find a peaceful and lasting solution. Minusma and other international actors have a key role to play in facilitating these negotiations, even if trust between the parties remains a major obstacle to overcome.