News in Mali is once again in the headlines with the attacks against the last Minusma convoy in Kidal. As the UN peacekeeping mission withdrew from the country, the convoy suffered four improvised explosive device attacks. One of these attacks was claimed by the Jnim terrorist group.
Minusma peacekeepers, made up of soldiers from different countries, such as Chad, Guinea, Egypt, Nepal and Bangladesh, left Kidal by road, accompanied by limited air support. Unfortunately, these security measures were not enough to prevent attacks. Fifteen peacekeepers were injured, including one seriously.
Faced with these attacks, Minusma appealed to the Malian authorities to obtain authorization for surveillance flights and air cover in order to secure the convoy. This would allow Minusma planes to fly over the convoy in real time, in order to detect artisanal mines and intervene quickly in the event of an incident. However, the Malian authorities did not respond to these requests.
This situation raises many questions about the capacity of the Malian government to ensure the security of its territory and the protection of peacekeeping forces. The persistent presence of jihadist groups in the region makes the situation particularly worrying.
The road between Kidal and Gao therefore remains dangerous, with several hundred kilometers to go. It is necessary for the Malian authorities to take concrete measures to improve the security of Minusma peacekeepers and facilitate their peacekeeping mission.
These recent attacks once again underline the importance of the fight against terrorism in Mali and the Sahel region. International forces, such as Minusma, play a crucial role in the fight against these extremist groups, but they need the support of local authorities to carry out their mission.
Let us hope that the Malian authorities will quickly take measures to strengthen the security of Minusma peacekeepers and enable a more effective fight against terrorism in the Sahel region. The stability of Mali and the region depends on it.