After 15 months of engagement in central Mali, the 10th Senegalese detachment of the MINUSMA has still not left the country, causing a delay in the deployment of the relief force planned since March.
According to the Senegalese newspaper Le Quotidien, the transitional government has applied reciprocity to ECOWAS countries following the West African organization’s economic and financial sanctions against Mali, for failure to respect the electoral calendar that should allow for the transfer of power to civilians within a reasonable timeframe.
Contacted by APA, the Senegalese army has not yet reacted. For her part, MINUSMA spokesperson, Olivia Salgado confirmed that “this handover has been significantly delayed, affecting both the morale of the troops concerned and their operational effectiveness.”
“All flights used for the rotation of troops to or from Mali are subject to over flight and landing authorizations from the Malian government,” the UN Mission’s spokesperson in Mali explained.
Composed of 850 contingents, including 21 women, the 11th Senegalese detachment of the MIMUSMA, commanded by Colonel Mathieu Diogoye Sene received the flag on February 23 at the ‘Promenade des Thiessois’, during a ceremony led by General Fulgence Ndour, Chief of Staff of the Army. “I am particularly pleased because this ceremony symbolizes the renewed confidence of the UN authorities in the exemplary commitment of Senegalese contingents within the MIMUSMA,” General Ndour said.
“Indeed, the successes of previous contingents, the result of a synergy of efforts of the command in terms of equipment, operational preparation and support, justify the confidence and esteem that the international community places in our army. These successes are also the result of enormous efforts made by men and women, engaged since 2013 in the Malian theater to mark the momentum of Senegal’s solidarity with this brotherly and friendly country in its effort to return to stability and security,” General Fulgence Ndour said.
He urged Colonel Mathieu Diogoye Sene and his men to “stay the course in order to preserve the brand image of the Senegalese armed forces in peacekeeping operations around the world in an increasingly complex context.”
But this contingent, which has already been placed in the conditions required for a military engagement in Mali, must still wait for “the required authorizations” to take over from the 10th detachment.
The UN Mission’s spokesman told APA that the necessary steps are being taken with the Malian authorities “on the basis of the arrangements that govern the deployment of MINUSMA operations,” noting that “it is crucial that this issue be resolved as soon as possible.”
MINUSMA was established in April 2013 by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2100.
AC/cgd/fss/GIK/APA