Forty-eight hours after leaving their camp in the town of Tessalit on October 21, 2023, the peacekeepers of Chadian nationality of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (Minusma) continue their progress towards the town of Gao, in particularly hostile conditions.
The disengagement of Minusma in Mali is underway, with the aim of leaving the country before the end of the year. The Togolese peacekeepers based in Douentza have already moved south, while the departure of troops also continues in the Kidal region.
However, the situation is complicated for the Chadian peacekeepers who are heading towards Gao. Their convoy took more than 24 hours to travel the hundred kilometers separating Tessalit from Aguelok, where Minusma permanently closed its doors and windows last Monday. Unlike Tessalit, the Malian army did not immediately take control of the former Minusma base in Aguelok.
The next delicate step will be the withdrawal of Minusma from the locality of Kidal, controlled by the rebels grouped within the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD) coalition. These rebels have clearly expressed their intention to prevent the installation of regular troops in the former base of the UN mission. The Malian army and the forces of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner stand ready 100 kilometers from Kidal, and a clash could be inevitable. Town residents are even planning to protest to draw attention to their situation.
Faced with this hostile context, the peacekeepers are accelerating their withdrawal. Non-transportable items are destroyed due to lack of time, such as certain ammunition and generators. Valuable equipment is also disabled.
It is clear that the withdrawal of Minusma in Mali is a complex and risky process. The situation on the ground remains tense and the coming days will be crucial for the evolution of the situation. Let us hope that negotiations and diplomatic efforts will find a peaceful solution to these tensions and contribute to the stability of the country.