The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the Malian authorities have begun consultations to jointly determine the Mission's drawdown plan. Planning was discussed yesterday, July 3, 23, when a MINUSMA delegation comprising members of the working group set up to draw up the plan, and led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), El-Ghassim WANE, met Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye DIOP, accompanied by his staff and the Chief of General Staff, General Oumar DIARRA, representing the Minister of Defense and Veterans. The meeting, held at the request of MINUSMA, provided an opportunity to discuss an orderly and safe withdrawal of the Mission on December 31, 23. The UN Mission delegation made a presentation on the process and the challenges it entails, and both parties agreed on the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination, to ensure completion of the withdrawal process within the stipulated timeframe.

A number of mechanisms will be set up at technical and political levels, with representatives from Mali and MINUSMA, to deal with the various aspects of the process, including the withdrawal of civilian and uniformed personnel, the transfer of tasks, logistics, security and strategic communication. SRSG WANE pointed out that "MINUSMA and the United Nations are determined to ensure that this withdrawal plan is implemented within the stipulated timeframe, and for this we will need the support and backing of the Malian state. This first meeting illustrates this strong will to move forward. Implementing this profitability plan will require an enormous amount of work. We need to work closely together, a fairly strong collaboration that has been specified in the resolution, such as agreeing on the mechanisms to be put in place to facilitate the implementation of the decision", also emphasized the Head of the UN Mission. The Malian authorities have thus agreed to take all necessary measures to facilitate MINUSMA's urgent requests in the meantime, as Minister DIOP stipulated: "There are a huge number of things to be done in a short space of time, which will require the mobilization of our teams to be able to respond promptly. We have agreed on what needs to be done, and on the timetable we need to draw up immediately in order to complete the withdrawal by the deadline of December 31, 23. A joint committee between MINUSMA and the government will meet within 48 hours to get the work underway".

MINUSMA, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, was established by the UN Security Council in April 2013 through Resolution 2100, to support the political process in Mali and help the country restore peace and stability. On June 30, 2023, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2690, authorizing MINUSMA to begin a safe and orderly withdrawal from Mali.