Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, has stated that the initial phase of the peacekeeping mission’s withdrawal from Mali is anticipated to be completed by the end of the current month. The full withdrawal of the mission is expected to conclude by the year’s end.
The UN official expressed gratitude towards the Malian authorities for their cooperation at the conclusion of his visit to Mali. During his trip, he engaged in a series of meetings with senior officials of the transitional government, including Prime Minister Choguel Kokala Maïga.
In a related context, Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the United Nations, stated that during the UN official’s visit to Mali, discussions centered on the lessons learned from the initial phase of the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA. Dujarric stressed that ensuring a safe and organized withdrawal in a tight timeframe within such a challenging environment is “crucial.”
Moreover, the Under-Secretary-General underscored during his meetings the importance of making progress in transitioning responsibilities from the peacekeeping mission to the Malian authorities, the UN’s country team, and other partners, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2690.
