Britain to withdraw troops from Mali peacekeeping force

Britain will pull out its 300 troops from a U.N. peacekeeping force in Mali following similar withdrawals this year by other Western nations, a government minister said on Monday.

The early withdrawal comes after France and its military allies began withdrawing thousands of troops from Mali this year as the country’s military junta began collaborating with private contractors belonging to Russia’s Wagner Group.

The Western withdrawals from Mali this year have caused fears among diplomats that this could increase violence, destabilise neighbours and embolden jihadists.

British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told parliament recent coups in Mali had undermined international efforts to help bring peace in the country, which has seen growing violence in recent years by groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

“This government cannot deploy our nation’s military to provide security when the host country’s government is not willing to work with us to deliver lasting stability and security,” Heappey said.

The Malian’s government’s partnership with Wagner, which has also been linked to human rights abuses, was counterproductive to security in the region, he added.

Heappey said Britain’s commitment to West Africa and U.N. work in the region would continue. Britain sent troops to Mali late in 2020 to provide reconnaissance support to the peacekeeping mission of about 14,000 personnel.

Mali’s army spokesperson Souleymane Dembele did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali – MINUSMA – referred to a comment by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, in New York on Monday.

“We’re aware of the statement by the Minister of Armed Forces to the House of Commons and we will engage with the Permanent Mission in relation to this announcement,” Haq said at a press briefing in New York on Monday.

“We remain grateful to the United Kingdom for its contribution to MINUSMA,” he added.