STORY: UN Security Council decides to end peacekeeping mission in Mali
DATELINE: July 1, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:30
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of UN Security Council Chamber
2. various of delegates voting
3. various of delegates
4. various of China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun speaking
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
6. various of delegates
7. various of UN Security Council Chamber

STORYLINE:

The United Nations Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to end the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as of June 30.

It also requested the mission to immediately start on July 1 the cessation of its operations, transfer of its tasks, as well as the orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal of its personnel, with the objective of completing this process by Dec. 31, 2023.

Resolution 2690 was adopted unanimously by the 15-member council.

It asked the UN secretary-general to engage with the Malian government to articulate a plan for the transfer of MINUSMA's tasks, and present it to the Security Council by Aug. 15.

The resolution also called on the Malian government to cooperate fully with the United Nations during MINUSMA's drawdown, withdrawal and liquidation to ensure the orderly and safe withdrawal of the mission.

In an explanation of the vote, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said historical experience has proven that peacekeeping operations must follow the basic principles developed in practice of a long period of time, in particular the principle of consent of the countries concerned.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
"China expects the international community to pay attention to the practical difficulties and needs faced by Mali and other countries in the region, and continue to provide assistance and support on the basis of respect for the sovereignty and leadership of the countries concerned.
Since 2013 when China began its involvement in the UN peacekeeping operations in Mali, Chinese peacekeepers have faithfully fulfilled the peacekeeping mission despite all difficulties and dangers, and contributed Chinese efforts to the maintenance of peace and stability in the country."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)