Mali demands withdrawal of UN peacekeepers, citing lack of progress against extremists

Mali's Foreign Minister has demanded that UN peacekeepers leave the country immediately due to a "crisis of confidence".
The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali was set up in 2013 to stabilize the country after a Tuareg rebellion and growing jihadist insurgency.
Mali has experienced two coups since 2020 and is now collaborating with Russian paramilitary forces after France withdrew troops last year.
The peacekeeping mission in Mali is one of the UN's most dangerous, with 170 peacekeepers killed since 2013.
Analysts worry Mali's demand could make the security situation even more precarious.