Mali: Peacekeeping Operations

(asked on 11th October 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of the role of the Wagner mercenaries in Mali, (2) how many troops are part of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and (3) what assessment they have made of the future of MINUSMA and the role of French and British forces in Mali.


This question was answered on 25th October 2021

The UK is deeply concerned by the Malian Government's discussions with Wagner Group. In her statement of 29 September 2021, the Minister for Africa made clear that Wagner Group is a driver of conflict and has committed human rights abuses elsewhere. The UK supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in urging the Malian Government to reconsider their engagement with Wagner Group given the potential for further instability in the wider region. Together with other partners active in the region, the UK is keeping the situation under close review. As of August 2021, there were over 12,000 troops as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA). MINUSMA will remain critical in helping protect civilians and advancing long-term peace and stability. The UK is in contact with our French partners on their planned changes to operations in the Sahel. We have had assurances that France will retain the critical support functions such as force protection, medical and logistical support, which allow the UK to effectively contribute to operations in the Sahel. The UK remains committed to UN peacekeeping.

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