According to Abidjan, the soldiers, described by the Mali government as “mercenaries”, were part of logistical support operations for the nearly 12,000-strong mission.
Malian judicial authorities have officially confirmed that after an incident on July 10, these soldiers were taken into custody on charges of “conspiring to attack national security”.
The arrests highlight the existing conflict between the military that took power through a coup in August 2020 and the United Nations, the peacekeeping force that has provided security to Islamist militants in the country. since 2013.
Reasonable rotation
The United Nations Mission and Malian authorities have agreed to a reasonable rotation process, according to MINUSMA Spokesperson Myriam Dessables.
“The The rotation will start again this Monday”, Ms. Dessables confirmed, asserting that “we have stopped having “backups contact us directly”.
All requests must now be forwarded to and confirmed by the country’s Foreign Affairs office.
Meanwhile, relations between Mali and the donor countries remain strained.
After nine years, the last Frenchmen of Barkhane’s anti-jihadist force departed on Monday.
Concerns about human rights
Elsewhere, after a ten-day visit, UN Independent expert on the human rights situation in Mali welcomed the steps to restore constitutional order and return to civil rule in the country.
However, despite the measures being taken, he pointed out that the human rights situation is rapidly deteriorating in the country, which has raised serious concerns about the resurgence of extremism.
He noted an increase in the frequency of attacks by violent extremist groups in the north of the country, in the center and around the capital Bamako.
“The deteriorating security situation in Mali has a significant impact on the protection of human rights and the humanitarian situation,” the UN expert said.
“There is a toxic climate marked by suspicion and distrustwith the continued shrinking of the civic space, the rigidity of the Malian transitional bodies, and the unrest that make it difficult for international partners to work.”
Mr. Tine called on Malian transition agencies and international partners to urgently prepare security measures and strategies that have effectively protected the people and their basic human rights.
