Summary:

• MINUSMA, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, officially concluded its 10-year operations, having played a crucial role in stabilizing the country despite facing significant challenges and losing 311 peacekeepers.

The conclusion of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, was officially marked on December 31, concluding a decade-long presence in the West African nation. Established in 2013 in response to a violent uprising in the north and a military coup that deposed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, MINUSMA’s mandate encompassed crucial tasks like supporting political transitions, safeguarding civilians, facilitating humanitarian access, upholding human rights, and reinstating state authority.

Throughout its tenure, MINUSMA played a crucial role in implementing the 2015 peace agreement between the Malian government and armed groups, actively supporting constitutional reforms and electoral processes. The mission also contributed significantly to the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of over 2,300 former combatants. Noteworthy community projects, including the construction of schools, health centers, roads, bridges, and water points, were undertaken to enhance the living conditions of the Malian populace. An exemplary project involved the renovation of a school in a disadvantaged Bamako neighborhood by Ghanaian engineers.

However, MINUSMA encountered substantial challenges and risks in fulfilling its mandate as Mali grappled with ongoing insecurity, terrorism, intercommunal violence, and human rights violations. Operating in one of the most hostile environments for peacekeepers, the mission faced frequent attacks by armed groups and improvised explosive devices. The toll on MINUSMA was significant, with 311 peacekeepers lost and at least 700 injured since July 2013. In addition to human costs, the mission struggled with inadequate resources, equipment, and faced political and operational constraints.