video transcript

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) The U.N mission known as MINUSMA took over command of the African peacekeeping forces in Mali on Monday (July 1st), almost doubling the size of the operation. The country and its allies want to maintain order as July elections approach. Mali remains threatened by militant groups which initially led to the rapid intervention of French forces in January. In addition to Parisian troops still in the country, there are currently around 6,000 troops from mainly West African countries conducting operations. The United Nations is still seeking soldiers, helicopters and intelligence support from contributing countries before the mission is fully up and running by the year's end.