Norwegian authorities have decided to close the embassy in Mali’s capital, Bamako, after the UN Security Council decided to terminate the work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), as this could have security implications for diplomatic missions in that country, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
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Norway is closing its embassy in Bamako. The UN Security Council has decided that the MINUSMA operation in Mali will be completed before the end of the year. This will have security implications for the Norwegian and other international presences in Mali.
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It is noted that the Norwegian embassy will be closed by the end of the year. This decision was made after assessing the possibility of securing Norwegian interests in Mali, taking into account the security situation in the country. As noted in the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, the political situation in Mali after two military coups in 2020 and 2021 remains difficult. And after the completion of the UN operation, it will be more difficult to maintain normal diplomatic activity in the country.
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The embassy in Bamako represented Norway in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad, as well as in Mali.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently working on a solution to the issue of maintaining the Norwegian diplomatic representation in all these countries after the closure of the embassy in Bamako.
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“The fact that we are closing the embassy in Bamako does not mean that we are no longer involved in the affairs of the Sahel. There are great humanitarian needs in the Sahel and Norway will continue to be a long-term and reliable partner for the civilian population of Mali and other countries of the Sahel,” – the words of Foreign Minister Anniken Wittfeldt are quoted in the message.
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Earlier, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution terminating the work of the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from June 30, the contingent must leave the country by December 31, 2023.
