The UN Security Council unanimously voted on Friday to end the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali by the end of the year.
As a result of the vote, the UNSC adopted a resolution 2690 (2023), which terminates the MINUSMA's mandate.
"Decides to terminate MINUSMA’s mandate under resolution 2640 (2022) as of June 30 2023," the UN resolution said.
MINUSMA is required to immediately start cessation of its operations, transfer of its tasks, as well as the orderly and safe withdrawal of its personnel, with the objective of completing the process by December 31, 2023, in close consultation with the transition government of Mali, according to the UN resolution.
According to the resolution, the mission is supposed to be curtailed in close consultation with the Transitional Government of Mali and with the countries providing military and police contingents. The Security Council requests the UN Secretary-General to regularly inform the Security Council about the progress of the process.
At the same time, the resolution states that by September 30, 2023, MINUSMA is authorized to respond to an immediate threat of violence to civilians and to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
It is emphasized that until December 31, 2023, in coordination with the Transitional Government, MINUSMA has the right, among other things, to ensure the safety of UN staff, facilities, convoys and equipment, maintain situational awareness near its locations, accompany UN military and civilian personnel, as well as evacuate UN staff and humanitarian workers in danger.
Russia supports the resolution
Russian Mission to the UN has positively assessed the resolution, sharing the reaction in social media.
"[The Russian Mission to the UN] supported the draft UNSC resolution (put forward by France) on withdrawal of MINUSMS. It is important that the Council reacted to the request of Mali, who made a sovereign decision on future parameters of ensuring security & protecting civilians in the country," the mission said.
The Russian mission has also expressed gratitude to those UN peacekeepers who gave their lives while serving in the African nation.
"We also thank the peacekeepers and civilian personnel of MINUSMA for their service and dedicated work in supporting the Malians. Russia honors the memory of peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of peace and security in Mali," Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, Anna Evstigneeva, stated.
Evstigneeva outlined that Russia "will continue providing comprehensive bilateral assistance to Mali with the purpose of ensuring stabilization in the country."
Mali's requirement to terminate MINUSMA
Earlier this month, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop referred to the MINUSMA as a "failure" and urged its termination.
"The Malian government asks for the withdrawal without delay of MINUSMA," Diop told the UN Security Council.
According to the minister, the mission's 10-year presence in the nation has failed to adequately respond to the security issues, while rather contributing to the escalating tensions.