UN peacekeeping mission in Mali to resume troop rotation from Monday

Bamako: Troop rotations by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) will resume on Monday. The contingent rotations will resume almost after one month under fresh approval procedures. Notably, troop rotations by the UN peacekeeping mission were suspended after Malian authorities accused foreign soldiers of entering the country without permission, reported Reuters.

The development was also confirmed by the peacekeeping force's spokeswoman Myriam Dessables. "MINUSMA agreed to the new procedures and communicated them to all countries contributing troops. There will be no exception," Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said as quoted by AFP.

Earlier on Friday, Germany stopped reconnaissance operations and helicopter transport flights in Mali until further notice. The step was taken after Bamako denied flyover rights to MINUSMA. According to the German defence ministry spokesman, the flyover rights were denied in spite of Malian Defence Minister Sadio Camara having given assurances to the contrary during a call with German counterpart Christine Lambrecht on Thursday.

Previously, various contingents had to seek approval directly from the Malian authorities, but now "all requests must go via MINUSMA, who will then pass them on to the foreign ministry," reported AFP quoting Diop as saying.

The Malian authorities suspended the UN troop rotation on July 14. The development came four days after Mali arrested 49 Ivorian soldiers. The authorities described these soldiers as "mercenaries" who had an intent to topple the country's military-led government, reported AFP. However, Ivory Coast claimed that the troops were sent to provide backup to MINUSMA. Notably, the African country has been under military rule since 2020.