The UN peacekeepers are going to be withdrawn at the end of this month from Mali after decades of peace operations in the conflicting country. According to multiple sources including CNN, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali is set to be ended on June 30. The Malian government called for the immediate exit of the UN peacekeepers earlier blaming the mission a failure. It is pertinently notable that the UN keeps its peacekeepers based on the request of a sovereign country. But given that there are continued conflicts in the trouble-hit country, the exit of the peacekeepers may increase the chance of conflicts, which have killed and displaced thousands of Malians, rather than their resolution.
It is pertinently notable that armed conflicts have been going on in Mali for decades. A surge in armed conflicts has left a lasting impact on its society and stability. Several groups including the government force, Tuareg rebels (the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad) and Al-Qaeda are currently competing for power. But the recent conflicts initially started in 2012 after the Tuareg rebellion — which has been seeking to establish an independent state for the Tuareg people in northern Mali since the 1960s — that aimed at seeking greater autonomy for the northern region of Azawad led to a power vacuum and facilitated armed groups, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Dine, to gain a foothold in the region. Though the intervention of French forces helped push back these groups in 2013 and allowed for the restoration of some semblance of stability, the situation has not improved much. Conflicts still continue in Mali.
Many efforts have been taken to end conflicts in Mali. The UN mission provided some stability and played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the Malian government and armed groups. Also, the Economic Community of West African States has been actively involved in mediating negotiations and peacebuilding initiatives. Collective efforts led to the Algiers Peace Accord in 2015 which aimed to end the ongoing conflict in northern Mali. But the implementation has been slow and hindered by continued violence and other factors including a lack of trust among the parties, deep-seated animosities and the absence of effective implementation mechanisms. Also, ethnic tensions, economic disparities and political instability, along with grievances over marginalization and lack of representation of northern Mali, are notable causes of the continuation of conflicts.
Conflicts need to be ended in Mali. The implementation of the 2015 Accord may be helpful. Even if the UN Mission in Mali ends its operations, efforts need to be continued to reach a peaceful solution. But cooperation from the parties is crucial. It is also imperative for the government to address the root causes of conflicts in the country. Prioritizing inclusive governance, addressing grievances and promoting reconciliation among different ethnic groups is crucial for Mali. Economic and other concerns including human rights abuses need to be addressed by the Malian government. Cooperation is imperative for capacity-building programs for security forces and investment in infrastructure projects that promote economic growth in Mali.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
