UN mission in Mali withdraws troops following expulsion order by ruling junta 

After a decade-long operation, the United Nations forces are completing their withdrawal from Mali on Sunday after the military junta expelled it.

The Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission, MINUSMA, was established in 2013 following an armed rebellion but was later asked to leave by the ruling military authorities in Mali.

The head of the UN mission explained that MINUSMA accomplished much but fell short of expectations.

Minusma was the UN’s second deadliest mission in the world, after Lebanon, with 310 peacekeepers killed since it started operations in the West African country.

Earlier in the year, Mali demanded the departure of the 12,000 UN peacemakers, thereby forcing the UN Security Council to vote to withdraw the mission.

The Malian authorities gave the mission a December 31st deadline to cease operations and vacate completely.

Mali has been struggling with internal security challenges, including attacks by extremist insurgents and independence movements.

Despite the presence of UN peacekeepers and French troops, who led counter-terror operations, the number of terror attacks in Mali surged to a record level. At the same time, more citizens were reported joining terror groups.

France also announced it was withdrawing troops last year.

As Western influence continues to decline, the ruling junta has aligned the country with Russia, including an alliance with the Wagner mercenary group.