There are no Russians in this UN mission, but the Russian presence in the country continues
The first signs of the closure of the peacekeeping mission in Mali began to appear from the beginning of the 2020s. There have been two coups d'etat in the Republic of Mali, despite the presence of peacekeepers. That has thoroughly undermined both the prestige of the UN mission in this country and the prestige of the United Nations as a whole.
The United Nations Multidisciplinary Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established in 2013 due to the civil war in this African country. Thus, the UN mission in Mali lasted ten years.
THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY OF HIPPOS
The population of the Republic of Mali is more than 20 million people. The territory is 1,240,192 sq. km, almost twice the size of the territory of France. The state is located in West Africa, includes part of the Sahara Desert and has no access to the sea.
The official language is French: until 1961, the country was a colony of France, and until recently, the former metropolis tried to maintain its influence in Mali.
Bamako, the capital of the country, is home to more than 1,800,000 people. The city is located on the banks of the Niger River, in the southwestern part of the country. The very name of Mali, according to one version, is derived from the name of a hippopotamus in the Mandinka language.
In any case, the name is very ancient: the current republic inherited it from the Mali Empire, one of the most famous states of medieval Africa.
The northeastern part of Mali is controlled by Islamists from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (both organizations are banned in Russia). In particular, there have been military clashes between extremists in recent years for the city of Menaka (Larisa Shashok, "The situation in Mali remains tense ", "HBO", 06/15/2023).
THE MISSION IS ASKED TO EXIT
The UN mission has 13,211 peacekeepers from 57 countries: staff officers – 498 people, military contingents – 11,121 people, police officers – 1,592 people, there are no military observers.
During the performance of official duties, 309 peacekeepers have died during the entire existence of MINUSMA.
The current Transitional Government of Mali is asking for the immediate withdrawal of the MINUSMA mission from the country. The reasons for this decision are not a secret to anyone.
The Malian authorities no longer trust the UN peacekeepers and intend to rely on the Russian Wagner group to ensure security in the country.
But more recently, MINUSMA was set as an example in UN documents:
"The commander has modern technical means at his disposal, including unmanned aerial vehicles, a qualified intelligence department of the headquarters. A good and solid intelligence service has been created."
There are no Russian peacekeepers in Mali. The resolution on the withdrawal of peacekeepers from the country was prepared by the representative of France.
In 2022, all the French living in the country left Mali. Only 33 French peacekeepers remained in the mission – 23 staff officers and 10 policemen.
The date of lowering the flag of the UN mission in Mali has not yet been set. But already on July 3, work began to boil: the first meeting of representatives of MINUSMA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mali took place to develop a plan for the withdrawal of peacekeepers.
Through the UN, troublesome peacekeeping activities are assigned to three people: the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the head of the mission, El–Gassim Wane (Mauritania); the commander of the military component, Major General Mamadou Gaye (Senegal); Police Commissioner Bettina Patricia Bugani (France).
CONTENTS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION
The preamble to UN Security Council resolution 2690 stresses that the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians on its territory, in accordance with its obligations under international law, lies with the Transitional Government of Mali.
It is proposed to organize free and fair presidential elections in February 2024 and to restore constitutional order by March 2024.
The last paragraph of the preamble reads as follows: "The situation in Mali continues to pose a threat to international peace and security. The Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, decides ...". Recall that chapter VII refers to "actions in relation to threats to peace, violations of peace and acts of aggression."
The operative part of the Security Council resolution sets specific dates:
– from June 30, 2023, to terminate the mandate of MINUSMA;
– On July 1, 2023, to begin the termination of operations and the transfer of functions, as well as to begin an orderly and safe reduction in the number of personnel and their withdrawal in order to complete this process by December 31, 2023;
– To develop a plan for the transfer of MINUSMA functions by August 15, 2023; at the same time, the Transitional Government of Mali is invited to fully implement all the provisions of the "Status of Forces Agreement" until the departure of the last MINUSMA unit from Mali;
– until September 30, 2023, the mission will continue to respond to immediate threats of violence against civilians in the country and "facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid with the leading role of civilian structures, acting within their means and capabilities in the immediate vicinity of their locations";
– MINUSMA is authorized until December 31, 2023 to "perform within its capabilities and its area of responsibility in Mali" six functions – including ensuring the safety of personnel, premises, convoys, facilities and property of the UN;
– finally, from January 1, 2024, the liquidation of the mission will begin, while maintaining security units from the current composition of MINUSMA to protect its personnel, facilities and property. At the same time, MINUSMA will ensure the transfer of strong points and property "in full compliance with the general practice and financial regulations of the United Nations."
THE WAGNER GROUP AND THE ROLE OF RUSSIA
In 2021, the Malian authorities invited the Wagner group to maintain order in the country (we will stick to this name; as you know, recently Russian President Vladimir Putin said that private military companies (PMCs) do not legally exist in Russia, but he did not deny the physical existence of the group).
On December 23, 2021, France and 15 other states sent a note of protest to the Government of the Republic of Mali against the Russian presence in the country.
They expressed "deep regret" that the Malian authorities spent funds from the "meager budget of the country" to pay for "foreign mercenaries", instead of supporting their own army.
The note was signed by Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Canada, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Romania, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Estonia (all members of NATO, except Sweden, which is also preparing to join the alliance).
Now let us characterize the line of conduct of some members of the Security Council.
At each meeting on Mali, US representatives constantly mentioned the Wagner group present in Mali. At the last meeting, it sounded like this: "The UN is responsible for minimizing the risk that its assets will fall into the hands of those who want to destabilize Mali or harm its people, including militant extremist organizations and the Wagner group.
British representatives were no less active: "We do not believe that partnership with the Wagner Group will provide long-term stability or security to the Malian people."
In a negative way, Russia's partnership with the transitional authorities of Mali through the deployment of the Wagner group from the end of 2021 was also mentioned.
In this regard, it is appropriate to recall that article 2 of the "Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Mali on military cooperation" provides for "the exchange of experience in peacekeeping and cooperation in peace and security operations under the auspices of the United Nations."
And the preamble to this agreement proclaims "commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN."
The speech of the representative of Russia at the meeting of the Security Council was constructive:
"We stand for the withdrawal of the mission to be orderly and organized in close cooperation with the host country. Russia honors the memory of the peacekeepers who gave their lives for peace and security in Mali. Russia, for its part, will continue to provide comprehensive assistance to Mali to normalize the situation in this country on a bilateral basis."
It should also be noted that in early February 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov became a commander of the National Order of the Republic of Mali.
This order was established on May 31, 1963 as one of the symbols of Mali's independence gained in 1960. Famous holders of the National Order of the Republic of Mali are Japanese Emperor Akihito, British Queen Elizabeth II, former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The Russian Ambassador to Mali since June 2019 is Igor Gromyko, the grandson of Andrei Gromyko, the USSR Foreign Minister for more than three decades, nicknamed "Mr. No" in the West.
CLARIFICATIONS AND NUANCES
Analysts have noticed that the UN Security Council resolution carefully clarifies the terms "downsizing", "withdrawal of funds", "liquidation and financial issues".
Recall that at the reduction stage, which will last until September 30, the resolution authorizes MINUSMA to respond to "immediate threats of violence" against civilians and facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
The liquidation phase provides for the functioning of the security unit until the complete withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from the country.
Initially, the Transitional Government of Mali offered to withdraw peacekeepers within three months. Such a deadline was not realistic, as it would undermine the mission's ability to leave safely and in a coordinated manner.
Therefore, the peacekeeping mission will continue to perform separate functions; ensuring the safety of UN personnel, facilities, convoys, installations and equipment and associated personnel. It will maintain situational awareness near the deployment sites and provide medical support to UN personnel.
The General Assembly has spared no expense for all these functions: $590 million has been allocated for the next six months.
The UN country team, the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel and other stakeholders will also contribute to peacekeeping activities.
conclusion
Russian peacekeepers participated in 42 missions under the UN flag, observing, among other things, the processes of their painful liquidation.
At the moment, Russia is sending 80 peacekeepers to seven UN missions. Most of them are stationed in Africa.
There are 69 Russian peacekeepers (including nine women) in five African peacekeeping missions. Of these, in Western Sahara – 12, in the Central African Republic - 14, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – 20, in South Sudan – 22, in the enclave of Abyei (disputed territory on the border of North and South Sudan) Abyei is one person.
More than 40 Russian helicopters are plowing the African sky in peacekeeping missions. But they are mostly piloted by foreign helicopter pilots.
Anatoly Isaenko
Anatoly Ivanovich Isaenko is a retired lieutenant colonel, a veteran peacekeeper since 1973, an expert on peacekeeping operations.
