[BREAKING] Norway Announces Closure of its Mali Embassy By End of 2023 Amid Security Concerns

Norway announced Thursday (August 31) its decision to close its embassy in Mali on December 31 this year due to the deteriorating security situation in the West African country.

According to the Norwegian foreign ministry, its decision to shut down its Bamako embassy was influenced by the UN Security Council's agreement to end a decade-long peacekeeping mission in Mali called the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) after the military junta there seized power in July and asked the peacekeepers to leave.

Oslo's foreign ministry said in a statement that their action would have consequences for the security of Norwegian and other diplomatic missions and international organizations in Mali.

Geopolitical Context of Norway's Withdrawal

It was previously reported that the process of withdrawal of UN peacekeepers was scheduled for December 31, the same date as the Norwegian embassy's last day of operations.

It could also be noted that Mali and Burkina Faso are supporting the military junta in Niger, which ousted democratically-elected president Mohamed Bazoum from power, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is planning a military intervention should all avenues of diplomacy fail.

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt also cited the impact of climate change as a factor behind the political destabilization of Central and West Africa, including the most recent coup in Gabon.

The closure of Norway's embassy in Bamako, she added, would not mean the country would end its engagement in the Sahel, as humanitarian needs in the region remained high. Norway would also continue to be a long-term and reliable partner to the civilian population in the region.

This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.

Tags

Norway, Mali, Africa, West Africa, Niger, United Nations, UN