"Ultimately, we work with governments to make sure that we can fulfill the objective, but we cannot possibly do more for the people of Mali than their own authorities will permit at the end of the day. If we are requested to leave, that’s what we will do," Haq told a briefing.
If the UN is unable to carry out a mission anymore, then it is time to withdraw, he added.
Commenting on the issue, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all parties in Mali to respect the ceasefire as the United Nations mission withdraws from the country, United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on Friday.
"The Secretary-General takes note of resolution 2690 by which the Security Council decided to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as of 30 June 2023 and directing its drawdown by 31 December 2023, following the request of the transitional Government of Mali," the statement said. "[Guterres] urges all the signatory parties to continue honoring the ceasefire as MINUSMA withdraws."
Earlier in the day, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to end the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali. MINUSMA is required to complete the transfer of its tasks and withdraw by the end of the year, according to a UN Security Council resolution.
The decision came after the Malian government asked the United Nations to urgently withdraw its mission. The government said that MINUSMA's 10-year presence in the country has failed to adequately respond to the security situation but rather is contributing to the escalating tensions.