The United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) declared on Sunday that it had “anticipated,” for security reasons, its withdrawal from a camp in the north of the country. This camp had been claimed to be recovered by the army “after numerous incidents” involving “terrorist” groups. This decision was taken despite the wishes of the former Tuareg rebellion.
According to a statement on X (formerly Twitter), MINUSMA’s spokesperson explained that the withdrawal from Ber was due to the deteriorating security situation and the significant risks posed to their Blue Helmets. However, no details were given about the initial departure date or the number of personnel involved.
The announcement also urged all relevant parties to refrain from actions that could further complicate the situation.
Ber’s evacuation by the Burkinabè blue helmets, who were stationed there, was planned as part of MINUSMA’s complete withdrawal from the country by the end of the year. The process had already begun on August 3 in Ogossagou (center), which the army claimed to have controlled since then, as stated in a press release on Sunday.
This decision by MINUSMA aligns with the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in late June to end the mission, which had been deployed since 2013 at the request of the junta that took power forcibly in 2020.
The phased withdrawal of around 11,600 soldiers and 1,500 police officers from various nations is scheduled to be completed by December 31.
The Malian army (FAMa) asserted that it had taken over the Ber camp on Sunday, August 13, around 8:30 am. This action came after multiple incidents had marked the movement of their units, as stated in a press release on Sunday evening.
During the journey to reclaim the camp, the army reported several incidents with “the GATs” (armed terrorist groups). These incidents included “an attempted incursion into the formation and continuous gunfire” against their troops on Friday. Additionally, other “clashes” resulted in a total of “six dead and four injured” among their ranks, according to the press release.
There were reports of sporadic gunfire directed at the advancing soldiers near Ber. However, the text did not specify the identity of the attackers.
The Ber area has been a site of tensions between the army and the Russian paramilitary group Wagner on one side, and the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA, former Tuareg rebellion) on the other. This information was confirmed by the latter organisation.
MINUSMA’s plan is to “simply leave (Ber) and not yield” the camp to the army, according to Attaye Ag Mohamed, a CMA official, as stated on X. The CMA accuses the junta of undermining the 2015 Algiers peace agreement signed with Bamako. Additionally, the CMA criticises the military for approving a new Constitution in June, which it believes compromises the agreement.
Tensions have grown with the junta, which the CMA blames for questioning the Algiers agreement. In response, the CMA announced the departure of all its representatives from Bamako on Thursday, citing “security” reasons. This further deepened the divide with the junta, which the CMA accuses of challenging the Algiers agreement.
Since assuming power, the junta has prioritised national sovereignty, breaking ties with France and its allies in favour of closer military and political alignment with Russia.
Mali has been grappling with a severe security crisis since 2012, starting in the north and spreading to the center of the country, as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.