The Ivorian government has announced the withdrawal of its soldiers deployed within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma), to fight terrorism, in a note made public on Tuesday 15 November 2022.
After France, Sweden and the United Kingdom, Abidjan announced on Tuesday 15 November the withdrawal of its soldiers from Mali in order to contain the rise of terrorism. No reason was given for the withdrawal. But when we know that Bamako is still holding the 46 Ivorian soldiers described as mercenaries, we can imagine the reason behind this decision by the Ivorian state.
“By order of the Government of the Republic of Ivory Coast, the Permanent Mission confirms the decision to progressively withdraw Ivorian military and police personnel deployed within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali-Ivory Coast (MINUSMA), as announced on 28 October 2022 by the Minister of State, Léon Kacou ADOM, during his meeting with the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre LACROIX,” the statement states.
“As a consequence of the above, the rotation of the protection company based in Mopti as well as the deployment of staff officers (MSO) and police officers (IPO), scheduled for October and November 2022 respectively, can no longer be carried out,” the document continues.
In addition, the text adds that “Ivory Coast does not envisage relieving, in August 2023, the military and other elements present in the UNMISSIM force, adding that the Ivorian government would therefore be grateful to the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) for the appropriate measures that it would be pleased to take in view of the immediate implementation of this decision.
In addition, Ivory Coast is considering redeploying its men to other countries as part of UN peacekeeping operations. “The government is prepared to redeploy the troops withdrawn from Mali to other UN peacekeeping missions,” the note said.
