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The Blue Helmet Mission in Mali is facing its end

Further aggravation of the security crisis in the Sahel

Mali has asked the U.N. Peacekeeping mission in the West African country to leave. The military government is focusing on its partnership with Russia to battle jihadists. While the army has regained some territory with the help of Russian mercenaries and Russian-made helicopters central Mali, a hotspot of violence, but is unable to keep territory.

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The dire consequences of Mali’s military focus can be seen in central Mali. Villagers complain of human rights violations by the army and the Russians and a lack of state services. The MINUSMA peacekeeping force fills the gap by replacing non-existant state services such as delivering fuel to police stations or paying for the education of children. The missions also employs thousands of people which will become jobless overnight with its exit - some will join the jihadists or criminals for lack of opportunities. People in central and northern Mali, where jihadists are active, appreciate the work of MINUSMA and want the mission to stay.

The full-length publication is only available in German.

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Contact

Ulf Laessing

Ulf Laessing

Head of Regional Program Sahel

ulf.laessing@kas.de 00223-20 23 00 36
Country Reports
Flickr / Bundeswehr / Christian Thiel
February 23, 2023
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