Major donor, peace promoter Norway pulling out of Mali, Russia going nowhere

A march against the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) at the Independence square in Bamako on 22 September 2022.

• Norway is pulling out
  of Mali as the security situation there deteriorates.
• Russia is, as best
  anyone can tell, going nowhere.
• This year, Norway
  directed R720 million in foreign aid to Mali.

Norway resolved
on Thursday to recall its envoy from Mali as the security situation there
continues to deteriorate, a decision which could also affect its presence in
Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad.

The
Norwegian embassy in Bamako was the country’s focal point for the Sahel region,
which of late has become a hotspot for coups.

Norwegian
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt said the major reason behind
removing the envoy was the adoption of the resolution terminating the mandate
of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

MINUSMA’s
withdrawal is set to be completed by the end of the year.

Thereafter, it will be more
challenging to continue regular diplomatic action in the nation after the UN
mission concludes.

“This [withdrawal
of UN peacekeepers] will have consequences for the security of Norwegian and
other diplomatic missions and international organisations in Mali.

“The
Norwegian government has therefore decided to close the embassy in Bamako by
the end of 2023,” said Huitfeldt.

Russia’s
paramilitary Wagner Group has what is thought to number 1 000 soldiers in Mali,
and this week, after the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, said it would
continue to provide “comprehensive assistance” to Mali. 

The US and
others have blamed Mali’s expulsion of UN peacekeepers on Wagner. 

READ
| UN ends peacekeeping mission in
Mali, US blames Russia’s Wagner

UN
sanctions that sought to promote peace in Mali ended on Thursday, after Russia
vetoed their extension.

The
sanctions had targeted anyone who recruited child soldiers, hindered the
delivery of aid, or violated or obstructed a 2015 peace deal.

Norway said
it sought peace

Norway had
said it wished to promote stability, conflict resolution, and development in
the Sahel.

According
to Relief Web, 34.5 million people are in need of humanitarian aid because of
conflict and the effects of climate change in the Sahel.

The current
situation makes the work of aid agencies and diplomatic missions all but
impossible.

“The
underlying conditions for international engagement have changed significantly
in recent years.

“We, therefore,
have to find other ways to follow up our interests in Mali moving
forward,” said Huitfeldt.

The
Norwegian embassy in Bamako had postings in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger,
and Chad.

With its closure, the
country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “is now working on solutions to
safeguard Norway’s diplomatic representation in all these countries”, she
added.

As such,
“the closure of the embassy in Bamako does not mean that Norway is ending
its engagement in the Sahel. Humanitarian needs remain high, and Norway will
continue to be a long-term and reliable partner for the civilian population in
the Sahel”, Huitfeldt said.

Norway
provides close to R1.3 billion in aid to the Sahel region per year. From that
amount, this year, R720 million was directed to Mali.

Additional reporting by
Reuters

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