The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) evacuated its base in the city of Aguelhok (north) as part of its withdrawal scheduled to be completed by the end of the year from this country.
MINUSMA withdrew from Aguelhoc at a time when the Kidal region, where this city is located, is witnessing a military escalation between armed elements to control the region.
The UN mission also announced that it “accelerated” the evacuation of its base in Tessalit (north) in light of tension that put “its crew in danger.”
One of the peacekeepers confirmed, “We left the Aguelhok base permanently on Monday.”
An official in the Malian capital, Bamako, and two local officials confirmed the news.
There was no handover ceremony with the authorities in the isolated camp in an area of tension. The base was deserted and uninhabited on Monday afternoon, two local officials confirmed.
This international withdrawal from the Aguelhok camp is the second in the Kidal region and the seventh in Mali.
Last June, the ruling military junta in Mali demanded the departure of MINUSMA, which has been deployed since 2013.
The withdrawal of about 11,600 soldiers and 1,500 policemen from dozens of nationalities from Mali is scheduled to continue until December 31.
Mali has active separatist and terrorist groups.
#mission #Mali #evacuates #base