The UN mission in Mali formally completed its 10-year presence in the country on Monday, according to a spokesperson, in accordance with Mali’s military chiefs’ orders.
The mission, known as MINUSMA, has lowered the United Nations flag from its headquarters in Bamako, according to its spokesperson Fatoumata Kaba.
According to her, the symbolic event marks the official end of the mission.
After January 1, a “liquidation phase” will begin, with operations such as handing over leftover equipment to authorities.
The withdrawal of the UN stabilisation force, known as MINUSMA, has fueled fears that combat for territorial control will erupt between troops and armed factions.
For the past decade, MINUSMA has maintained approximately 15,000 soldiers and police in Mali. In hostile activities, approximately 180 members have been slain.
The UN mission stated on X, previously Twitter, that more over 10,500 uniformed and civilian MINUSMA personnel have left Mali as of Friday, out of a total of roughly 13,800 personnel at the start of the evacuation.