Peacekeepers serving with the UN’s Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) wear face masks while on patrol. (Photo / MINUSMA/Harandane Dicko)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – The Security Council on Wednesday renewed the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until 30 June 2023. Meanwhile, violence continues in the ravaged Sahel region amid Mali’s recent announcement it will withdraw from all institutions of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) — including the G5 Sahel joint force formed to counter terrorism in the region — as well as the decisions by France and other European countries to withdraw their counter-terrorism forces from the country. Adopting resolution 2640 (2022) (to be issued as document S/RES/2640(2022)) by a vote of 13 in favour to none against with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation), and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council also expressed serious concern over increasing allegations of violations of international law by the Malian Defence and Security Forces. The 2021-2022 MINUSMA budget was $1,270,104,400. The Security Council decided that MINUSMA shall retain its current troop strength of 13,289 military personnel and 1,920 police personnel.
Mali remains locked in a dangerous, “endless cycle of instability” amid a military coup, delay of return to civilian rule, on-going extremist attacks, and Russian mercenaries operating in the west African nation.
In the midst of this dangerous mix, the UN’s MINUSMA peacekeeping mission continues to operate. MINUSMA is the most dangerous UN peacekeeping operation in the world with nearly 300 “blue helmets” killed since the mission established in 2013.
The Security Council Called on the Malian Transition Government to make tangible progress to achieve a political transition and ensure the swift return to Constitutional order, in cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), by organizing free and fair election
“Mali still needs MINUSMA” – Nicolas de Rivière (France UN Representative)
France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Rivière, noted that violations of international law — by terrorist groups, the Malian Armed Forces and mercenaries with the Wagner Group have all been reported — he stressed that they must stop.
U.S. Ambassador Regrets That Russia and China Abstained in MINUSMA vote
Richard M. Mills, Jr. (United States), also welcoming the adoption and praising France for its collegial engagement, voiced regret that two Council members (Russia and China) abstained in the vote and stood in the way of unanimity on the renewal of a mandate that had previously enjoyed it. “MINUSMA’s extension is crucial, as it provides the Malian authorities a chance to work with the Mission and other partners towards a political transition,” Ambassador Mills said.
Anna M. Evstigneeva (Russian Federation), Deputy Permanent Representative
noted that her delegation abstained in the vote. The Russian diplomat voiced concern over the resolution’s “intrusive wording” on human rights, which she said might be used by those who wish to tarnish the work of the Transitional Government and “are not pleased with its independent foreign policy approach”.
Western colleagues often try to push “fakes” into the work of the Council, and they do not wish to hear perspectives that contradict their own, the Russian diplomat said. Noting that Mali is currently engaged in a difficult fight against terrorism, with hundreds of civilians killed each month, she added that MINUSMA is finding it ever more difficult to carry out its mandate. However, for Western colleagues, all those challenges “go to the back burner” when it comes to the support the Russian Federation is providing to Mali. She urged MINUSMA’s leadership to maintain its impartiality and act only in the interest of Mali’s people, and to maintain constructive relations with the host country.
