United Nations peacekeepers took over security duties from African troops in Mali on Monday with a mission to ensure stability in the conflict-scarred Nation just four weeks ahead of planned elections.
A 12,600-strong force officially replaced the AFISMA military mission, which has been supporting French soldiers who entered Mali in January to halt an Islamist advance and help the Government re-establish its authority over the vast country.
Soldiers from nine troop-contributing west African countries and UN officials took part in a “re-hatting” ceremony in Bamako on Monday, replacing their head gear with the distinctive light blue berets of the UN.
France is winding down its deployment from its peak of nearly 4,500 but is to keep up to 1,000 troops in Mali and will maintain responsibility for military strikes against the Islamists.
Rwandan General Jean-Bosco Kazura, will lead the UN mission — known as MINUSMA.