United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali

Org type	Peacekeeping Mission
Status	Dissolved
Headquarters	Bamako, Mali
Website	Official website in English: https://minusma.unmissions.org/en

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (often called MINUSMA) was a special group of peacekeepers from the United Nations. They worked in the country of Mali in Africa. MINUSMA was created on April 25, 2013. Its main goal was to help make Mali stable after a big rebellion in 2012.

The mission officially started on July 1, 2013. It ended almost ten years later, on June 30, 2023. MINUSMA was one of the most challenging UN peacekeeping missions. Sadly, many peacekeepers lost their lives while serving there. Besides MINUSMA, two other international groups from the European Union also helped Mali. These were called EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUTM Mali.

Why Was MINUSMA Needed?
How MINUSMA Started and Ended
Where Was MINUSMA Based and Who Led It?
See also

Why Was MINUSMA Needed?

In 2012, a group of people called the Tuareg started a fight in northern Mali. They wanted their own region, called Azawad, to be independent. The Malian army found it hard to fight them. This was because the rebels had many new weapons. These weapons came from the 2011 Libyan civil war and other places.

Because of these problems, some parts of the Malian army took control of the government. This happened on March 21, 2012. After this, the rebels took over three big cities in the north: Gao, Timbuktu, and Kidal. Other countries in the region, through a group called Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), put pressure on Mali. They stopped trade with Mali.

Eventually, a deal was made. This deal helped to bring a temporary leader to power. This leader was in charge until new elections could be held.

How MINUSMA Started and Ended

On July 1, 2013, about 6,000 UN peacekeeping troops arrived in Mali. They took over from French forces and another African mission. Their job was to patrol northern Mali. The total number of peacekeepers was planned to be 12,600. This group was also important for the presidential election that year. MINUSMA became one of the largest UN peacekeeping forces in the world.

However, on June 16, 2023, Mali's Foreign Minister asked the United Nations to end MINUSMA. He said the mission had not been able to make the country stable. So, the UN peacekeeping mission officially ended on June 30, 2023.

Where Was MINUSMA Based and Who Led It?

MINUSMA's main office was in Bamako, which is the capital city of Mali. The mission had a special team that gathered information. This helped them understand what was happening on the ground.

Several different leaders were in charge of the MINUSMA forces over the years. These included:

Major General Michael Lollesgaard from Denmark (2015-2016)
Major General Jean-Paul Deconinck from Belgium (until 2018)
Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporre from Sweden (after 2018)
Lieutenant-General Johannes Matthijssen from the Netherlands (in 2021)

Many countries sent police and military people to help MINUSMA. As of September 30, 2021, some of the countries that contributed the most personnel included: