Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, has defended the military government’s cooperation with Russia and rejected three options proposed by the U.N. chief to reconfigure the U.N. peacekeeping force in the country where Al-Qaida and Islamic State extremist groups are rife.

Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres’ internal review released this week of the 17,500-strong U.N. mission, known as MINUSMA, noted that Mali’s longstanding security partnership with France and others deteriorated over concerns about Wagner Group personnel operating in support of the Malian armed forces, which he said Russian officials have publicly acknowledged.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador, Richard Mills said the United States welcomes the U.N.’s acknowledgement in the internal review of the Wagner Group’s presence in Mali.

Mills called Wagner “a criminal organization that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses in Mali and elsewhere.”

Last year, France pulled its troops out of Mali, where they had been helping to drive Islamic extremists from the country for nine years, following tensions with the ruling junta and the arrival of Wagner mercenaries.

Mali has struggled to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency since 2012. Extremist rebels were forced from power in Mali’s northern cities with the help of a French-led military operation, but they regrouped in the desert and began launching attacks on the Malian army and its allies.

In August 2020, Mali’s President was overthrown in a coup that included Assimi Goita, then an army colonel. In June 2021, Goita was sworn in as President of a transitional government after carrying out his second coup in nine months.

Foreign Minister Diop told the council that Goita is “resolutely committed” to holding a referendum on a draft constitution in March, electing deputies to the National Assembly in October and November, and holding presidential elections in February 2024.

Diop said that the government remains committed to defending its territory, protecting its people and implementing a 2015 peace agreement.

The peace agreement was signed by three parties; the government, a coalition of groups called the Coordination of Movements of Azawad and a pro-government militia known as the Platform but the movements suspended participation in December, 2022.

Diop called their decision “regrettable” but said “we hope soon to reach a common understanding with our brothers from the signatory movements.”

One Of The Most Difficult Operating Environments For Peacekeeping

Antonio Guterres 2021 — U.N Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres

Secretary-General Guterres’ internal review of MINUSMA called Mali “one of the most difficult operating environments for peacekeeping,” citing significant air and ground restrictions imposed by Malian security authorities.

The restrictions have exposed peacekeeping personnel “to security risks in an already dangerous environment in which 165 peacekeepers have been killed and 687 injured by hostile action since July 2013,” Guterres said.

The Secretary-General said the mission’s operations will come under additional pressure because four countries that have contributed troops are pulling them out, which will mean a loss of over 2,250 troops.

Guterres said MINUSMA’s ability to deliver on its mandate; protecting civilians, supporting improvement of the security and political situation and monitoring human rights, will depend on advances in the political transition, progress in implementing the peace agreement and freedom of movement for peacekeeper and their intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets.

Guterres proposed three options: increasing the force by either 3,680 or 2,000 uniformed personnel; reconfiguring the force to support its existing priorities or to focus primarily on supporting the peace agreement; or ending the peacekeeping mission and transforming it into a political mission.

However, Diop said the proposals do not meet Mali’s aspirations for a more robust security operation which would include engaging in offensive actions and patrols, especially as part of its mandate to protect civilians.

On human rights, Diop said, the government “will staunchly oppose any and all instrumentalization and politicization of this issue,” but will strive to protect rights.

Diop disclosed that the government participated in the internal review in the hope that it would “respond to the deep aspirations of the Malian people.”