In Mali, the departure of Minusma from its camps located in the Kidal region gives rise to battles on the ground, this is the case around the Tessalit base, with exchanges of fire Monday and Tuesday morning between the Malian army and the rebels of the Permanent Strategic Framework. But the confrontation is also playing out in the Malian and UN diplomatic corridors. Explanations.
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This is the fourth flight of the Malian army which has landed in Tessalit since Thursday October 12, 2023. The army is transporting its reinforcements by air: Malian soldiers, Wagner auxiliaries, vehicles and equipment.
As on Monday October 16, according to UN sources, the Fama plane landed around 6:30 a.m. before taking off again a quarter of an hour later, despite the fire from the CSP rebels positioned around the base, and indirectly benefiting from the presence of Minusma, in charge of runway security, and who had not been warned of the arrival of this plane.
The Malian army and Minusma, which have their respective adjoining camps in Tessalit, share the use of the track.
Disengagement underway in Tessalit and Aguelhoc
Minusma announced Monday evening that it had “ started “, ” in a climate of high tension », its withdrawal from the Tessalit and Aguelhoc bases.
No details on the modalities or the date on which this ongoing withdrawal must be completed, so as not to harm the security of the troops. A UN source specifies, however, that “ the priority is men and then, if possible, sensitive equipment ” And ” by air, no choice “.
Read alsoMali: exchanges of fire between the army and CSP rebels in Tessalit
Minusma also plans to “ accelerate » his departure from the Kidal base, the stronghold of the rebel groups, “ originally scheduled for mid-November “.
In a separate statement released yesterday, the United Nations said it had “ intensified » their contacts with the Malian transitional authorities to inform them of their “ concerns ” And ” underline their responsibility for the security of peacekeepers » for this disengagement.
“ Respect the withdrawal plan »
For his part, the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, bangs his fist on the table and reminds Minusma of its “ obligation to scrupulously respect the withdrawal plan » and the deadlines set. This is what he repeated in an “information note” released last night, also assuring that “ the government is fully cooperating with the United Nations, particularly with regard to authorizations for logistical convoys in support of disengagement “.
Convoys blocked by authorities
However, in the same note, the minister justifies the blocking, in Gao, of convoys for which Minusma has been waiting for authorizations since September 24, as Minusma had already deplored during the weekend.
Abdoulaye Diop invokes “ the security situation » and concludes intransigently: “ Authorizations will be issued based on the improvements noted. »
Read alsoWho will control the Minusma camps in Mali? ICG researcher calls for mediation
These convoys are supposed to transport UN equipment – vehicles and weapons in particular – belonging to troop-contributing countries. In this case, largely in Chad.
If this equipment was not repatriated to its country of origin on time, the Malian army could hope to recover part of it. The weapons, it is the UN rule, should be destroyed. The future of this material is therefore an immediate issue.
“ Shield »
The presence of blue helmets in Tessalit, Aguelhoc and Kidal is another. The Malian army intends to recover these lands in the name of national sovereignty. The CSP rebels want to prevent this under the provisions of the 2015 peace agreement. In this context, the two belligerents are engaged in a race-like battle for the recovery of these bases. A race punctuated by clashes – the CSP has attacked several Malian military camps in recent weeks – and simple exchanges of fire – like yesterday and this morning in Tessalit, where the presence of Minusma holds back any rebel offensive. “ They use Minusma as a shield », Angrily comments a UN executive.
An analysis shared by the CSP rebels, who however go further since they perceive the delays already accumulated in the withdrawal of the Blue Helmets and the arrival of Wagner’s mercenaries in Tessalit as a form of ” complicity » of the UN mission.
The United Nations, Malian transitional authorities and CSP rebels therefore do not have the same objectives but they share at least one immediate message: they all show their desire that the departure of Minusma from the Kidal region takes place as quickly as possible.