The withdrawal of French forces from Mali will have aimpactfor the UN mission in that country, which will do what is necessary to “adapt“, said his spokesperson Olivier Salgado Thursday, February 17.
Read alsoIn Mali, the anti-French headlong rush
“There will definitely be an impact“, he told AFP. This impact “is currently under study“, he added. “We will take the necessary steps to adapt to the new context in order to be able to continue implementing our mandate.“, he said. Olivier Salgado invoked the “specific and complementary role played by (the French anti-jihadist operation) Barkhane in the fight against terrorism and the in extremis support that this operation brings us“. Olivier Salgado was referring to the authorization given by the Security Council resolution mandating Minusma. It allows the French forces to intervene in support of the blue helmets “in the event of a serious and imminent threat“.
Read alsoFour maps to understand the French situation in Mali
Barkhane and the Minusma cooperate in other areas, for example health. The Minusma, created in 2013 after the outbreak of the independence and jihadist insurgencies the previous year, deploys more than 12,000 soldiers in Mali. It is the deadliest mission in the world for blue helmets (more than 150 dead in hostile acts).