Deployed in 2013 with more than 15,000 troops and personnel, MINUSMA faced numerous challenges, including over 300 fatalities amid ongoing extremist violence and rampant insecurity across Mali's northern and central regions.

In a statement, the outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of MINUSMA, El-Ghassum Wane, expressed his belief that the mission had a significant impact on the lives of many civilians in Mali. The mission's mandate included aiding Mali in addressing multiple challenges, protecting civilians, monitoring human rights, creating conditions for humanitarian assistance and the return of displaced persons, and preparing for free, inclusive, and peaceful elections.

On Saturday evening, UN Secretary-General António Guterres extended his deepest gratitude to MINUSMA personnel, acknowledging their outstanding leadership and the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives or were injured during the mission's deployment in Mali. The Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2690 on June 30, effectively terminating MINUSMA's previous mandate and setting a deadline for the mission's safe and orderly drawdown and withdrawal by December 31, 2023, followed by a liquidation period.

Despite the completion of MINUSMA's drawdown, the UN system remains committed to supporting Mali. MINUSMA Chief El-Ghassum Wane noted that while the peacekeeping mission might be leaving, the UN will continue its presence in Mali. UN funds, agencies, and programs were present in Mali before MINUSMA's deployment and will persist in the country beyond the mission's withdrawal.

Starting on January 1, 2024, the liquidation period will commence, with a smaller UN team and the rear parties of troop- and police-contributing countries remaining at sites in Gao and Bamako to oversee the orderly transportation of assets and the appropriate disposal of UN-owned equipment. The UN Secretary-General emphasized the importance of the transitional government's full cooperation to ensure the completion of this process as swiftly as possible.

MINUSMA's departure marks the end of a critical chapter in UN peacekeeping efforts in Mali. The UN remains committed to working with the Malian people and the transitional government to restore constitutional order, promote peace and security, and support sustainable development in the country.

The UN's ongoing engagement includes collaboration with the 21 agencies, funds, and programs of the Country Team in Mali, in conjunction with the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel and the Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel, pursuing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development objectives in the region. (ILKHA)