The United Nations on Monday (Dec 11) officially concluded its decade-old deployment in Mali, its spokesperson released a statement saying, in a move that Mali's military leaders ordered.&nbsp;

The mission, which was also known as MINUSMA, lowered the United Nations flag on its headquarters in the capital Bamako, its spokesperson Fatoumata Kaba told the news agency AFP.

She further said that this symbolic ceremony marked the end of the mission. However, some elements of it are still there, she added.

A "liquidation phase" is scheduled for Jan 1, 2024, where activities like handing over the remaining equipment to the authorities will occur.

<h2>UN troops' departure won't be delayed: Mali junta</h2>

Earlier, Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop had released a statement saying that the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from northern Mali would not be delayed and would happen on time by December 31.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-two-injured-after-russian-strike-on-kyiv-biden-to-host-zelensky-at-white-house-amid-deadlock-on-aid-668361">At least 4 injured after airstrike on Kyiv; Biden to host Zelensky at W. House</a>

The UN expressed concerns that its drawdown may get hampered by an uptick in fighting in the northern part of the country.

"Everything must be done to ensure the work of MINUSMA is ended by December 31," Diop had said in a video posted on social media on Saturday evening.

"The government does not foresee any extension of this deadline," he said in the recording of comments he made to a meeting of the diplomatic corps in the capital, Bamako.

Mali's ruling junta took over power in the year 2020 and demanded the departure of the mission in the month of June which has been deployed since 2013.

The withdrawal of the United Nations stabilisation mission, MINUSMA, ignited fears that the fighting between the troops and armed factions would heighten over territorial control.&nbsp;

MINUSMA for a decade had maintained around 15,000 soldiers and police in Mali. The hostile acts had claimed the lives of around 180 members.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PressRelease?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PressRelease</a> - Closure of the MINUSMA camp in Sevare, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mopti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mopti</a> region. 
 
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As of Friday, more than 10,500 uniformed and civilian MINUSMA personnel had left Mali, out of a total of around 13,800 staff at the start of the withdrawal, the UN mission said on X.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United Nations on Monday (Dec 11) officially concluded its decade-old deployment in Mali, its spokesperson released a statement saying, in a move that Mali's military leaders ordered.

The United Nations on Monday (Dec 11) officially concluded its decade-old deployment in Mali, its spokesperson released a statement saying, in a move that Mali's military leaders ordered. The mission, which was also known as MINUSMA, lowered the United Nations flag on its headquarters in the capital Bamako, its spokesperson Fatoumata Kaba told the news agency AFP. She further said that this symbolic ceremony marked the end of the mission. However, some elements of it are still there, she added. A "liquidation phase" is scheduled for Jan 1, 2024, where activities like handing over the remaining equipment to the authorities will occur. UN troops' departure won't be delayed: Mali junta Earlier, Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop had released a statement saying that the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from northern Mali would not be delayed and would happen on time by December 31. Also read: At least 4 injured after airstrike on Kyiv; Biden to host Zelensky at W. House The UN expressed concerns that its drawdown may get hampered by an uptick in fighting in the northern part of the country. "Everything must be done to ensure the work of MINUSMA is ended by December 31," Diop had said in a video posted on social media on Saturday evening. "The government does not foresee any extension of this deadline," he said in the recording of comments he made to a meeting of the diplomatic corps in the capital, Bamako. Mali's ruling junta took over power in the year 2020 and demanded the departure of the mission in the month of June which has been deployed since 2013. The withdrawal of the United Nations stabilisation mission, MINUSMA, ignited fears that the fighting between the troops and armed factions would heighten over territorial control. MINUSMA for a decade had maintained around 15,000 soldiers and police in Mali. The hostile acts had claimed the lives of around 180 members. #PressRelease - Closure of the MINUSMA camp in Sevare, #Mopti region. 📖👉🏿 https://t.co/QWZ3HOxNof — MINUSMA (@UN_MINUSMA) December 9, 2023 × As of Friday, more than 10,500 uniformed and civilian MINUSMA personnel had left Mali, out of a total of around 13,800 staff at the start of the withdrawal, the UN mission said on X. (With inputs from agencies)

UN mission in Mali officially concludes 10-year deployment

Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop has said that withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from northern Mali will not be delayed and would happen on time by December 31. The UN has expressed concerns that its drawdown may get hampered by uptick in fighting in the northern part of the country. Here, rival armed groups are seeking to seize territory as the UN pulls out.

The UN has also said that the military junta has not given permits to sent convoys to retrieve equipment from bases there.

The military junta seized power in Mali in the year 2020. The departure of UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA by the end of 2023 is part of an ongoing security reconfiguration launched by the junta.

AFP has reported citing local officials that Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers are arriving in the north to eventually replace UN soldiers who have been ordered by the junta to leave.

"Everything must be done to ensure the work of MINUSMA is ended by December 31," Diop said in a video posted on social media on Saturday evening.

"The government does not foresee any extension of this deadline," he said in the recording of comments he made to a meeting of the diplomatic corps in the capital, Bamako.

There has been an escalation in fighting in the north between majority-Tuareg separatist groups and the Malian army.&nbsp;

The jihadist Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), which is affiliated to Al-Qaeda, has also stepped up attacks on Malian army posts.

It is being feared that the violence may escalate when UN peacekeepers depart from their camps in Tessalit, Aguelhok and Kidal, the separatist bastion.

The separatists are against MINUSMA handing over its bases to the Malian military.

Diop said he was aware the UN had requested authorisation to send in logistics convoys by road to remove equipment from its northern bases and conduct air operations to protect the drawdown.

"We are working to find solutions," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop has said that withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from northern Mali will not be delayed and would happen on time by December 31.

Malian foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop has said that withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from northern Mali will not be delayed and would happen on time by December 31. The UN has expressed concerns that its drawdown may get hampered by uptick in fighting in the northern part of the country. Here, rival armed groups are seeking to seize territory as the UN pulls out. The UN has also said that the military junta has not given permits to sent convoys to retrieve equipment from bases there. The military junta seized power in Mali in the year 2020. The departure of UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA by the end of 2023 is part of an ongoing security reconfiguration launched by the junta. AFP has reported citing local officials that Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers are arriving in the north to eventually replace UN soldiers who have been ordered by the junta to leave. "Everything must be done to ensure the work of MINUSMA is ended by December 31," Diop said in a video posted on social media on Saturday evening. "The government does not foresee any extension of this deadline," he said in the recording of comments he made to a meeting of the diplomatic corps in the capital, Bamako. There has been an escalation in fighting in the north between majority-Tuareg separatist groups and the Malian army. The jihadist Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), which is affiliated to Al-Qaeda, has also stepped up attacks on Malian army posts. It is being feared that the violence may escalate when UN peacekeepers depart from their camps in Tessalit, Aguelhok and Kidal, the separatist bastion. The separatists are against MINUSMA handing over its bases to the Malian military. Diop said he was aware the UN had requested authorisation to send in logistics convoys by road to remove equipment from its northern bases and conduct air operations to protect the drawdown. "We are working to find solutions," he said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

UN troops' departure won't be delayed: Mali junta

The ancient city of Timbuktu in Mali has reportedly been under a blockade by Islamist militants for several days.

As per AFP, local officials reported on Monday that the jihadists "have blocked all the roads," effectively sealing off all roads in and out of the northern city, situated on the fringes of the Sahara desert.&nbsp;

<h2>What's happening in Timbuktu?</h2>

Speaking to the news agency on the condition of anonymity, a local lawmaker revealed that "Nothing is getting through between Timbuktu and the south," and that the jihadists had blocked all connections along the nearby Niger River.

"Everything's expensive in Timbuktu because products are no longer getting into the city. The jihadists have blocked the roads. It's really difficult," a city hall official told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-burkina-faso-police-officers-40-terrorists-die-in-clashes-627357" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/five-burkina-faso-police-officers-40-terrorists-die-in-clashes-627357&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjnkYqmzu6AAxV4plYBHU1iCTkQFnoECAYQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2U85XkBb8zbFVEq3BE-sFp" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-burkina-faso-police-officers-40-terrorists-die-in-clashes-627357" target="_blank">Five Burkina Faso police officers, 40 'terrorists' die in clashes</a>

<h2>Prices skyrocket</h2>

The situation has led to severe disruptions in the Timbuktu's supply lines and has also resulted in significant price increases.&nbsp;

As per a petrol station owner, the price of petrol surged from "845 CFA francs (around $1.40) to 1,250 CFA francs in a week".

<h2>A war</h2>

As per AFP, earlier this month, messages on social media attributed to a commander from&nbsp;Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM)&nbsp;— which has linkages to&nbsp;Al Qaeda —&nbsp;announced that it had "declared war" on the Timbuktu region.&nbsp;

These messages reportedly warned trucks from Algeria, Mauritania, and other regional locations from entering Timbuktu and threatened to target any vehicles that fail to heed the 'warning'.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-mali-quits-base-early-over-insecurity-625213">UN peacekeeping mission in Mali quits base early over insecurity</a>

These&nbsp;series of threats come as the United Nations peacekeeping mission MINUSMA for Mali expedited withdrawal from a base in the country's northern regions. This was done&nbsp;citing heightened security risks.&nbsp;

Mali, which has witnessed three coups in the past decade, is currently under the rule of a military junta that has been pressing for the departure of the MINUSMA UN mission which commenced in 2013 following the 2012 separatist and jihadist rebellions in the northern part of the nation.&nbsp;

MINUSMA has already handed over control of two bases near Timbuktu to Malian authorities. In spite of the UN&nbsp;compliance&nbsp;with the Junta's demand, the region remains plagued by unrest, reports AFP.

Currently, the UN mission is maintaining a camp within Timbuktu. However, its troops are slated to withdraw from the city by the end of this year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The ancient city of Timbuktu in Mali has reportedly been under a blockade by Islamist militants for several days. As per AFP, local officials reported on Monday that the jihadists "have blocked all the roads," effectively sealing off all roads in and out of the northern city, situated on the fringes of the Sahara desert.

The ancient city of Timbuktu in Mali has reportedly been under a blockade by Islamist militants for several days. As per AFP, local officials reported on Monday that the jihadists "have blocked all the roads," effectively sealing off all roads in and out of the northern city, situated on the fringes of the Sahara desert. What's happening in Timbuktu? Speaking to the news agency on the condition of anonymity, a local lawmaker revealed that "Nothing is getting through between Timbuktu and the south," and that the jihadists had blocked all connections along the nearby Niger River. "Everything's expensive in Timbuktu because products are no longer getting into the city. The jihadists have blocked the roads. It's really difficult," a city hall official told AFP. Also read | Five Burkina Faso police officers, 40 'terrorists' die in clashes Prices skyrocket The situation has led to severe disruptions in the Timbuktu's supply lines and has also resulted in significant price increases. As per a petrol station owner, the price of petrol surged from "845 CFA francs (around $1.40) to 1,250 CFA francs in a week". A war As per AFP, earlier this month, messages on social media attributed to a commander from Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) — which has linkages to Al Qaeda — announced that it had "declared war" on the Timbuktu region. These messages reportedly warned trucks from Algeria, Mauritania, and other regional locations from entering Timbuktu and threatened to target any vehicles that fail to heed the 'warning'. Also read | UN peacekeeping mission in Mali quits base early over insecurity These series of threats come as the United Nations peacekeeping mission MINUSMA for Mali expedited withdrawal from a base in the country's northern regions. This was done citing heightened security risks. Mali, which has witnessed three coups in the past decade, is currently under the rule of a military junta that has been pressing for the departure of the MINUSMA UN mission which commenced in 2013 following the 2012 separatist and jihadist rebellions in the northern part of the nation. MINUSMA has already handed over control of two bases near Timbuktu to Malian authorities. In spite of the UN compliance with the Junta's demand, the region remains plagued by unrest, reports AFP. Currently, the UN mission is maintaining a camp within Timbuktu. However, its troops are slated to withdraw from the city by the end of this year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Timbuktu under siege: Jihadist fighters block roads, cut off supplies

Ninety-five people in a central Malian village inhabited by the Dogon community were killed by gunmen in an overnight attack, a local official and a security source said Monday, giving a provisional toll.

"Right now we have 95 dead civilians. The bodies are burned, we are continuing to look for others," an official in Koundou district, where the village of Sobane-Kou is located, told AFP.

A Malian security source at the site of the massacre said, "a Dogon village has been virtually wiped out".

The local official said the attackers came and "started shooting, pillaging and burning."&nbsp;

The village had about 300 inhabitants, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The attack appears to be the latest incident in a cycle of violence in central Mali, an ethnic mosaic.

The tit-for-tat began when a predominantly Fulani jihadist group led by preacher Amadou Koufa surfaced in the region and started targeting the Bambara and Dogon ethnic groups.

The Fulani, also known as Peul, are primarily cattle breeders and traders, while the Bambara and Dogon are traditionally sedentary farmers.&nbsp;

On May 16, the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) announced it had recorded "at least 488 deaths" in attacks on Fulanis in the central regions of Mopti and Segou since January 2018.

In the bloodiest raid, about 160 Fulani villagers were slaughtered in March at Ogossagou, near the border with Burkina Faso, by suspected Dogon hunters.

MINUSMA said that also since January 2018, armed Fulanis had "caused 63 deaths" among civilians in the Mopti region.

Koufa in March 2017 joined the newly-formed Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the leading jihadist alliance in the Sahel region, with links to Al-Qaeda. Its leader is Iyad Ag Ghaly

Ninety-five people in a central Malian village inhabited by the Dogon community were killed by gunmen in an overnight attack, a local official and a security source said Monday, giving a provisional toll.

Ninety-five people in a central Malian village inhabited by the Dogon community were killed by gunmen in an overnight attack, a local official and a security source said Monday, giving a provisional toll. "Right now we have 95 dead civilians. The bodies are burned, we are continuing to look for others," an official in Koundou district, where the village of Sobane-Kou is located, told AFP. A Malian security source at the site of the massacre said, "a Dogon village has been virtually wiped out". The local official said the attackers came and "started shooting, pillaging and burning." The village had about 300 inhabitants, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The attack appears to be the latest incident in a cycle of violence in central Mali, an ethnic mosaic. The tit-for-tat began when a predominantly Fulani jihadist group led by preacher Amadou Koufa surfaced in the region and started targeting the Bambara and Dogon ethnic groups. The Fulani, also known as Peul, are primarily cattle breeders and traders, while the Bambara and Dogon are traditionally sedentary farmers. On May 16, the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) announced it had recorded "at least 488 deaths" in attacks on Fulanis in the central regions of Mopti and Segou since January 2018. In the bloodiest raid, about 160 Fulani villagers were slaughtered in March at Ogossagou, near the border with Burkina Faso, by suspected Dogon hunters. MINUSMA said that also since January 2018, armed Fulanis had "caused 63 deaths" among civilians in the Mopti region. Koufa in March 2017 joined the newly-formed Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the leading jihadist alliance in the Sahel region, with links to Al-Qaeda. Its leader is Iyad Ag Ghaly

95 killed in attack on central Mali village

Amnesty International today called on authorities in Mali to investigate extra-judicial killings following the discovery last week of a mass grave containing six bodies.

The rights group said it had collected evidence that "the six bodies found in a mass grave on 25 March had been arrested by the military three days earlier in the village of Dogo and taken away to an unknown location."

"This macabre discovery comes after weeks of escalating violence which has left civilians in central Mali caught in the crossfire, facing enforced disappearances and unlawful killings by the military on one side, and roadside bombs and abductions by armed groups on the other," Amnesty's West Africa researcher Gaetan Mootoo said in a statement.

"We are urging the Malian authorities to investigate reports of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of civilians in the central region, and bring all those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice," Mootoo said.

The UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on March 29 expressed "deep concern" over the increase in "serious violations and human rights abuses against civilians, including cases of summary execution" in the centre of the country, where jihadist groups are particularly active.

MINUSMA, which has 12,000 peacekeepers in Mali, said it had recorded at least 85 major violent incidents and armed confrontations that resulted in at least 180 civilian victims, including 15 women and 17 children, since the beginning of the year.

It said it was also worried about the extent of inter-communal violence in the central region, which has killed at least 50 people.

"Some cases are attributable to community self-defence groups," said MINUSMA, which welcomed Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga's recent visit to the restive region and the government's commitment to "shed light on serious violations and human rights abuses".

Maiga, who is charged with improving Mali's security situation, vowed to disarm militias during a visit to Koro on March 25.

In early 2012 Islamist extremists linked to Al-Qaeda and other armed groups took control of Mali's desert north, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

That insurgency has since spread to the country's centre, where local grievances are exploited by the Islamists in a region awash with guns.

Another problem is deadly clashes between farmers and herders driven south to feed their animals in recent years.&nbsp

Mali to investigate extra-judicial killings following the discovery last week of a mass grave containing six bodies

Amnesty International today called on authorities in Mali to investigate extra-judicial killings following the discovery last week of a mass grave containing six bodies. The rights group said it had collected evidence that "the six bodies found in a mass grave on 25 March had been arrested by the military three days earlier in the village of Dogo and taken away to an unknown location." "This macabre discovery comes after weeks of escalating violence which has left civilians in central Mali caught in the crossfire, facing enforced disappearances and unlawful killings by the military on one side, and roadside bombs and abductions by armed groups on the other," Amnesty's West Africa researcher Gaetan Mootoo said in a statement. "We are urging the Malian authorities to investigate reports of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of civilians in the central region, and bring all those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice," Mootoo said. The UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on March 29 expressed "deep concern" over the increase in "serious violations and human rights abuses against civilians, including cases of summary execution" in the centre of the country, where jihadist groups are particularly active. MINUSMA, which has 12,000 peacekeepers in Mali, said it had recorded at least 85 major violent incidents and armed confrontations that resulted in at least 180 civilian victims, including 15 women and 17 children, since the beginning of the year. It said it was also worried about the extent of inter-communal violence in the central region, which has killed at least 50 people. "Some cases are attributable to community self-defence groups," said MINUSMA, which welcomed Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga's recent visit to the restive region and the government's commitment to "shed light on serious violations and human rights abuses". Maiga, who is charged with improving Mali's security situation, vowed to disarm militias during a visit to Koro on March 25. In early 2012 Islamist extremists linked to Al-Qaeda and other armed groups took control of Mali's desert north, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013. That insurgency has since spread to the country's centre, where local grievances are exploited by the Islamists in a region awash with guns. Another problem is deadly clashes between farmers and herders driven south to feed their animals in recent years.

Amnesty calls on Mali to probe extrajudicial killings

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