Credit: Wikipedia /  Malian soldiers stand in formation during the closing ceremony of Exercise Flintlock in Bamako, Mali, November 20, 2008.

By Gary Raynaldo   /  DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW YORK –  In the past five weeks, nearly 100 Malian soldiers have been killed in Jihadists attacks in the West African nation Mali. At least 54 soldiers  were in an attack  Friday on an army post in northern Mali, the government said.  On Sept 30, 2019, some 30 Malian soldiers were killed  after suspected jihadists attacked two army camps in central Mali. And in August,  five soldiers  were killed in central Mali  when their convoy was ambushed by jihadists. 

Dans la journée du samedi 2 novembre 2019 lors d’une patrouille de proximité, un véhicule #FAMa a sauté sur un Engin Explosif Improvisé (#EEI) dans la localité de Douvombo, cercle de Bandiagara (#Mopti). pic.twitter.com/4koWcGvAtm

— Forces Armées Maliennes (@FAMa_DIRPA) November 3, 2019

MALI  CURRENTLY IN CRISIS SITUATION DESPITE THOUSANDS OF FOREIGN TROOPS DEPLOYED 

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) is slowly descending into a quagmire amid the endless deadly terrorist attacks and ethnic violence that has plagued the West African nation during the past six years. In June, the UN Security Council extended for one year the mandate of MINUSMA.  The MINUSMA  MALI peacekeeping mission is the  deadliest in the world. Since 2013, when MINUSMA deployed, more than 200 peacekeepers have died in Mali, including close to  120 killed during hostilities.   The deadly violence has spiraled out of control this year, in particular, with no end in sight despite the presence of thousands of UN and international peacekeeping troops in Mali, and across the Sahel region.

14 Killed In September when Bus hit Improvised Explosive Device near Douentza, in Mopti region

Credit: https://twitter.com/UN_MINUSMA / Evacuation des blessés à Mopti, Mali.  Sep. 4, 2019.    La Force et la Police de la MINUSMA st également restées sur le site de l’incident tragique qui a coûté la vie à plusieurs civils innocents pour en assurer la sécurisation alors que d’autres blessés plus légers étaient pris en charge.

United Nations Pledges To Continue To Support Mali Despite Surge in Deadly Terror Attacks 

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /   Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General at press briefing at UN world headquarters in New York Nov. 6, 2019.

 “The efforts of the Secretary‑General to support Mali and its people is reflected through the work of the peacekeeping mission.  It is also reflected through the broader development work we’re doing in the Sahel to try to prevent these situations that we’re seeing.  And, obviously, there’s a huge role to play for the part of the international community to support those countries in the Sahel and also to support the G5 force, which has been in the forefront of fighting terrorism in the region. “

-Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the  UN Secretary-General

France announces death of top jihadist in Mali

Le 9 octobre, la France a éliminé le numéro deux du groupe RVIM au Sahel, rattaché à Al-Qaïda. Ali Maychou, leader religieux, recruteur et cerveau de plusieurs attentats d'ampleur était un artisan de la haine.

— Florence Parly (@florence_parly) November 5, 2019

“On October 9, France eliminated the number two group RVIM in the Sahel, attached to Al Qaeda. Ali Maychou, religious leader, recruiter and brain of several large-scale attacks was a hate-monger.”

-French Defence Minister Florence Parly via Twitter.