UN vehicles and troops in Mali as decade-long mission ends

The UN mission in Mali ended a decade of deployment in the crisis-wracked country on Sunday.  The UN stabilization mission had been in place since 2013, and its withdrawal is igniting fears that fighting will intensify between troops and armed factions.

The UN Secretary-General stated that the mission had completed its agreed withdrawal by 31st December 2023. The mission’s key role is in protecting Mali civilians and supporting the peace process between Bamako and northern rebel groups, as well as its efforts towards restoring state authority.