The UN mission
On 25 April 2013, the United Nations Security Council gave the green light for MINUSMA – The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. As of 2017, around 15,200 uniformed personnel serve in the mission.
The mission's main tasks are supporting the interim government, stabilising the country and implementing a road map for maintaining peace. The UN forces also protect civilians and their human rights.
What we do
In 2016, Norway initiated a rotation agreement with Portugal, Denmark, Belgium and Sweden. This agreement secures that the UN mission has a Hercules C-130J transport aircraft at its disposal for the next years.
Norway had one Hercules in Mali in 2016, and in line with the agreement, Portugal replaced the Norwegian aircraft in December 2016.
The rotating personnel will be based in the Norwegian-built Camp Bifrost, next to the airport in the capital Bamako. The camp is run by nine Norwegian personnel. Their main task is to maintain the camp, its infrastructure and its accommodation, catering and medical services.
In addition to the nine camp personnel, Norway contributes with four officers to the MINUSMA military headquarters in Bamako. Norway also has two officers in the multinational analysis unit ASIFU (All Sources Information Fusion Unit). The unit gathers and analyses information from different sources and creates an updated picture on the safety situation in Mali to support UN personnel in the country.
| en_37_mali | en_37_mali | | http://forsvaret.no/en/Lists/RelatedMedia/DispForm.aspx?ID=9 | | | | | | | | A Norwegian C-130J Hercules in Bamako. Photo by Torbjørn Kjosvold, Norwegian Armed Forces | /media/PubImages/20160921tk_R9354.jpg | |
| en_37_mali | en_37_mali | | http://forsvaret.no/en/Lists/RelatedMedia/DispForm.aspx?ID=10 | | | | | | | | A member of the Hercules crew during a flight to northern Mali. Photo by Torbjørn Kjosvold, Norwegian Armed Forces | /media/PubImages/20160921tk_R6811.jpg | |
| en_37_mali | en_37_mali | | http://forsvaret.no/en/Lists/RelatedMedia/DispForm.aspx?ID=11 | | | | | | | | The Norwegian aircraft had the capacity of air dropping equipment and supplies for troops on the ground. Photo by Torbjørn Kjosvold, Norwegian Armed Forces | /media/PubImages/20160921tk_R9707.jpg | |
Past contributions
From 2013 to 2015, Norway had two officers at the MINUSMA headquarters in the capital Bamako, and 18 officers in the UN analysis unit ASIFU in Bamako. Norwegian military engineers also took part in building a Swedish camp in Mali. From 2016 and onwards, the number of Norwegian ASIFU officers was reduced to two.
In February–December 2016, Norway contributed with a Hercules C-130J aircraft. The aircraft transported supplies and personnel to and from the turbulent northern part of the country. The aircraft was also used for transport missions to other UN operations in the region.
During its ten months of operation, the Norwegian aircraft capacity reached 800 flight hours – transporting 600 tonnes of goods and supplies, and 15,000 civilians and military personnel.
About the conflict
In the past years, Mali has been struggling with unrest. Corruption, hunger, climate changes and weak government institutions are just some of the reasons behind the disorder. The situation is especially unstable in the north of Mali.
Different juntas and rebel groups have attacked the government on different occasions the last couple of years. In 2013, France decided to support the Malian government and won control over areas earlier controlled by rebel groups. The UN mission is a continuation of the French operation.
Since 2013, Malian forces have largely managed to uphold the control. The UN forces support the local forces and the Malian authorities.