The European country cited a recent resolution by the United Nations Security Council on June 30 to withdraw its contingent of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) by December 31 as the reason for its decision to close the diplomatic mission.
"On 30 June, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution terminating the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and requesting MINUSMA to start the withdrawal process, to be completed by the end of the year. This will have consequences for the security of Norwegian and other diplomatic missions and international organisations in Mali," the ministry said in a statement.
To date, the Norwegian embassy in Bamako has been responsible for representing Norway in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad.
In addition, Norway has provided significant financial support and humanitarian aid to the Sahel region, amounting to nearly 1.2 billion Norwegian kroner ($113 million) in 2022-2023, according to the statement.
Currently, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on ways to continue to effectively represent the country's interests in the Sahel region, the statement added.
"The closure of the Embassy in Bamako does not mean that Norway is ending its engagement in the Sahel. Humanitarian needs remain high, and Norway will continue to be a long-term and reliable partner to the civilian population in the Sahel," Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt was quoted as saying in the statement, commenting on the country's future in the region.
The decision to close the embassy in Bamako was taken after assessing the possibilities to continue supporting Norwegian interests in Mali, especially in light of the security situation in the country, which remains precarious after two consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021, the statement said.