End of an era as Canadian peacekeeping efforts in Mali concludes

December 4, 2023 - Defence Stories

Caption

The final five CAF members deployed on Op PRESENCE Mali pose for a picture.

On November 16, 2023, after more than five years, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) concluded its contribution to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) with the return home of the last five deployed personnel.

Following the June 2023 request of the Transitional Government of Mali to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2690, MINUSMA began a progressive withdrawal from the West African country.

There are 1250 CAF peacekeepers who had deployed to Mali over the duration of this operation, proudly working with over 57 nations dedicating their collective efforts to support the United Nations (UN) peace stabilization mandate and the Malian population through security operations, including the protection of civilians, humanitarian assistance, and other UN projects or initiatives. Canadian peacekeepers on MINUSMA were exposed to a multi-lingual, diverse, and culture-rich environment which strengthened partnerships and friendships with participating nations and CAF colleagues.

From 2018 until 2019, the Op PRESENCE (Mali) Air Task Force (ATF) provided MINUSMA with aeromedical evacuation coverage and transport aviation from Gao, a key city in Eastern Mali. During the ATF’s year long deployment, a total of three Chinooks and five Griffon helicopters conducted more than 11 forward aeromedical evacuations, transported more than 2800 passengers, and compiled more than 4000 flying hours.

In 2019, when the Op PRESENCE (Mali) ATF concluded, the mission reverted to a smaller scale operation under Task Force Bamako. Following this change, detachments ranging from five to ten highly trained CAF members served in key positions as Military Staff Officers within MINUSMA’s Force Headquarters in the country’s capital, Bamako, and in positions within the United Kingdom Long Range Reconnaissance Task Force (UK LRRTF), in Gao. The CAF were actively involved in MINUSMA’s daily decision cycle, enabling MINUSMA’s main operational capabilities.

This mission exemplified the Canadian peacekeeping ethos with many extracurricular projects that were spearheaded by deployed Canadian contingents. Notably, through the Boomer’ Legacy fund and private funding, numerous CAF members improved infrastructure and furnished textbooks to two local school libraries.

As this chapter in modern peacekeeping comes to an end, we will remember the UN Peacekeepers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of Peace and give thanks to all the CAF personnel who were deployed in Mali or supported the mission.

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2023-12-04