Mali's foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop calls on UN to withdraw its peacekeeping force
Jun 18, 2023Mali's foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop has called on the UN to withdraw its peacekeeping force from the country without delay.
Addressing the UN Security Council, he based his statement on the accusation that the force, Minusma has become a part of the problem in fuelling inter-communal tensions. Minusma currently has more than 13,000 troops.
Mr. Diop spoke of a crisis of confidence between the Malian authorities and Minusma. His criticism of Minusma followed earlier Malian objections to France's long-standing involvement in Mali.
Minusma's mandate is due to end on June 29, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has recommended that the mission be reconfigured to focus on a few limited priorities. In response to Abdoulaye Diop's statement, an official from the UN said that it is extremely challenging to operate in the host country without their consent.
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