Mali Asks UN to End Peacekeeping Mission

Facts

On Friday, Mali's foreign minister called on the UN to withdraw its peacekeepers from the country "without delay," as the mandate of the mission — known as MINUSMA — expires at the end of this month.¹
Addressing the UN Security Council (UNSC), Abdoulaye Diop said that the 13K-strong, decade-long mission had failed to address the spread of jihadist violence, while allegedly fueling internal tensions.²
UN Secretary-General António Guterres had previously insisted the reconfigured mandate must be renewed, arguing that "its continued presence remains invaluable" in the run-up to Mali's return to constitutional rule.³
The UNSC has until June 30 to extend the deployment, which requires nine votes in favor and no vetoes from its permanent members. However, if Mali doesn't consent, it would reportedly be "nearly impossible" to continue the UN mission.⁴
Relations between the junta and MINUSMA have been strained, with Mali allegedly rejecting traditional Western allies and turning to Moscow for help in tackling violence that has killed thousands and displaced over six million since 2015.⁵
The West African nation is expected to hold a long-anticipated constitutional referendum on Sunday that could pave the way for elections in the first quarter of 2024.⁶

Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Associated Press. The fallout from the Malian government hostility towards France and its European partners is becoming increasingly apparent. Now that the shadowy Russian Wagner group is active in Mali, the country's security situation is rapidly deteriorating. The Russian troops aren't focused on the people's security but on pursuing Moscow's interests.
Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. The deteriorating security crisis in West Africa is primarily the result of the West's decade-long political and military interference under the guise of fighting terrorism. It's no coincidence that anti-European sentiment is rising while calls for Russian engagement have recently grown louder. There will only be hope for the region when it's no longer possible for the West to pursue its geopolitical interests unchallenged.