ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />The country and its allies want to maintain order as July elections approach.<br/> <br />Mali remains threatened by militant groups which initially led to the rapid intervention of French forces in January.<br/> <br />In addition to Parisian troops still in the country, there are currently around 6,000 troops from mainly West African countries conducting operations.<br/> <br />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.
