YouSaid · the spoken record

Konfourou

lines on the record: 291
first: 2001-01-23
most recent: 2023-11-20
sittings or episodes: 29
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“On behalf of the Government of Mali, I would like to thank Russia and China for abstaining from the voting on the resolution. I conclude by reiterating the gratitude of the people and the Government of Mali to the United Nations for its constant support for our efforts to end the crisis. I pay tribute to the memory of all the victims of the Malian crisis — both civilian and military, Malian and foreign — who have lost their lives in my country. The meeting rose at 3.35 p.m.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9082 (2022) · source
“MINUSMA’s role is to provide them with the necessary assistance in that regard; it is not supposed to replace the Government of Mali. The delegation of Mali calls on the Security Council to allow MINUSMA to devote itself to the priority tasks for which it is deployed in my country, namely, to support the restoration of security and State authority throughout our national territory, which is an essential condition for better protecting the population and their property. The people of Mali expect MINUSMA to contribute to the search for lasting solutions to Mali’s challenges. They do not want MINUSMA to become part of the problems in our country, and neither do they want human rights to be used for hidden political purposes.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9082 (2022) · source
“As members are well aware, Mali has always cooperated in good faith with the United Nations Mission since its establishment in 2013. However, in line with the principle of respect for Mali’s sovereignty, as well as for coordination and security reasons, MINUSMA’s movements can take place only with the agreement of the competent Malian authorities. Similarly, Mali is not in a position to guarantee the freedom of movement for MINUSMA investigations without the prior agreement of the Government. Consequently, Mali does not intend to implement those provisions of the resolution, despite their adoption by the Security Council. In any event, the Government of Mali believes that allegations concerning human rights violations are the primary responsibility of the Malian authorities.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9082 (2022) · source
“Mr. Konfourou (Mali) (spoke in French): The Government of the Republic of Mali takes note of resolution 2640 (2022), which renews the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) for an additional year. Members will recall that the Government of Mali expressed its support for the renewal of MINUSMA’s mandate, while clearly formulating its expectations and strong reservations with regard to the new mandate. However, the Government of Mali regrets that some of its strongest reservations were simply ignored in the final version of the resolution on which the Security Council voted. The Government of Mali reiterates its firm opposition to the freedom of movement of MINUSMA in the execution of its human rights mandate.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9082 (2022) · source
“The people and the Government of Mali reiterate their appreciation and their thanks for the enormous contribution of the United Nations to the ongoing stabilization efforts in my country, particularly through MINUSMA. I pay tribute to the memory of all the victims of this crisis — civilians and soldiers, foreigners and Malians — who have fallen on the field of honour in Mali.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“The Government of Mali remains determined to play its full part for the return of peace and security throughout the national territory by using political and security levers, socioeconomic development, justice and reconciliation. However, the achievement of this ambitious project requires the understanding and support of all of Mali’s partners. That is why I would like to ask here for the understanding of our partners and to request the immediate lifting of the sanctions, which are affecting a country already weakened by several years of political, security, economic and health crisis, especially at a time when our Malian Armed Forces are gaining confidence and winning victories on many fronts.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“The humanitarian situation has been further exacerbated by last year’s poor rainy season, the negative impact of ECOWAS and WAEMU sanctions on the populations, as well as insecurity in the central regions of the country, which are our most productive regions. To alleviate their suffering, the Government is working, with the support of bilateral and multilateral partners to provide the necessary assistance to our compatriots in situations of vulnerability. In conclusion, I will say that the crisis in Mali, which has had a major impact on the stability of the entire West African and Sahel regions, remains complex and difficult. Its lasting resolution is the primary responsibility of Malians.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“He will be accompanied by a forensic pathologist, a technical and scientific police team and investigators. The public will be kept regularly informed of the progress of these surveys, the results of which will be made public. Pending the conclusions of this investigation, we call on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, to avoid any talk of massacres, allegations and other unfounded accusations made against the Malian Armed Forces, with an ulterior motive. Furthermore, the Government of Mali remains concerned about the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Mali.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“In this regard, I would like to recall that respect for human rights and international humanitarian law remains a priority in the conduct of operations by our armed and security forces. The same applies to the opening of an investigation each time allegations are made against the Malian Armed Forces. Regarding the specific case of the Moura events and following the allegations of alleged abuses committed against civilians in the period from 23 to 31 March in that area, the military prosecutor decided to open investigations by the national gendarmerie to carry out in-depth investigations in order to shed light on these allegations, despite the ongoing military operations. A judicial transport will be carried out very soon on the site in Moura by the military prosecutor, exercising his judicial police powers.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Regarding the ongoing military operations in the Moura area, 17 kilometres north-east of Kouakourou in the Djenné district of the Mopti region, it should be noted that they follow very specific information that made it possible to locate the holding of a meeting between different katibats. This allowed the neutralization of 203 combatants of armed terrorist groups. After the first hearings carried out by the national gendarmerie, those arrested were transferred to the specialized judicial unit, responsible for investigating terrorism cases. Received yesterday, 6 April, by the Prime Minister, the President of Tabital Pulaaku, the representative association of the Peul community, underlined that Moura was indeed a terrorist sanctuary, before affirming bluntly that the allegations made against the Malian Armed Forces are false.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Other assize sessions will take place this year to give appropriate follow-up to several ongoing investigations and proceedings, in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Mali. It is true, however, that the security conditions on the ground, the absence of competent State services in certain localities and the lack of resources and expertise in certain areas do not favour the rapid outcome of open procedures. This is an opportunity for me to plead for a strengthening of international cooperation with Mali in order to help it meet the challenges in that regard, in terms of training, equipment, expertise and adequate funding. The Government of Mali reiterates its appeal to its partners to help restore State authority throughout its national territory — an essential condition for improving the human rights situation in the country.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“However, there is no deliberate will on the part of the Malian authorities to grant impunity in proven cases of human rights violations. Thus, the Malian justice system is systematically seized each time cases of human rights violations are reported. A session of the Court of Assizes specially devoted to cases of terrorism and serious violations of human rights was held in Bamako in October 2021. Previously, on 30 June 2021, the Court of Assizes of Mopti had condemned 12 individuals accused in connection with the Koulogon-Peul attacks, in the Bankass district, which had caused the death of 37 people. This demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Mali, despite the many challenges, to sparing no effort to fight impunity.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“The Secretary-General and several members of the Security Council have expressed concern about the human rights situation in Mali. I would like to emphasize that the Government remains very committed to respecting and ensuring respect for human rights by national and international forces alike, in accordance with our historical values enshrined in the 1236 Kouroukan Fouga Charter of Emperor Soundiata Keita. Until January 2012, Mali was cited as an example for its respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The complex crisis that we have been enduring for 10 years and the loss of control of certain parts of the national territory have, unfortunately created conditions for the violation of human rights.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“In this regard, the Malian Government is waiting for the list of signatory movements to allow the reinsertion of former combatants to begin. With regard to the development issues addressed in the Agreement, and contrary to the assertions made by the Secretary-General, the Malian Government remains committed to implementing development programmes in the northern regions. By way of illustration, I am delighted with the launch of the 16 projects selected within this framework on 21 October, despite the difficult economic situation in my country following the economic and financial blockade decided by ECOWAS and WAEMU. I hereby appeal to all of Mali’s partners to contribute to the financing of this specific strategy for development of the northern regions of Mali.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“This commitment was reinforced by the Assises nationales de la refondation in December 2021, which recommended, inter alia, the drafting of a new Constitution that would set up, among other things, the Senate, and the acceleration of the process of decentralization and deconcentration of the State. I would like once again to salute Algeria’s active role in this and the support of the international mediation team. With respect to the participation of women in the peace process, I am pleased to inform the Council that the Government has shared a list of 15 additional women to be included in the Agreement Monitoring Committee and its four subcommittees. Despite the Government’s ambitious and concrete proposals, the Agreement’s disarmament, demobilization and reintegration/ reintegration process is experiencing some difficulties.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“It is thanks to that cooperation that Mali continues to obtain military equipment for its security and that Russian trainers and instructors are currently in Mali to advise and train the Malian military in the use of the equipment obtained by Mali from the Russian Federation. That said, Mali remains willing to cooperate with all its traditional partners. We are open to all our partners that are willing to help us to restore peace and security, while respecting the sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of Mali. All Council members mentioned the need to expedite implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali emanating from the Algiers process. I would like to emphasize how fully committed the Government remains to its diligent and intelligent implementation of that Agreement.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“We are determined to continue and intensify those military actions, with the ultimate objective of protecting our people and their property and gradually re-establishing the authority of the State and basic administrative and social services throughout the country. That will help to create the necessary conditions for the holding of credible and inclusive elections. I salute all partners that support Mali in achieving such an objective. I would like to take this opportunity to respond to certain members of the Council who, without justification, accuse the Government of Mali of utilizing a private security company, as I heard at the previous meeting (see S/PV. 8945). I forcefully reiterate that Mali has made no such commitment. Mali has maintained a relationship of State-to-State cooperation with the Russian Federation since 1960.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“On the security front, the Government continues to intensify its efforts to recruit, train and equip the Malian Defence and Security Forces, with a view to strengthening their operational capacities. Those actions are producing very encouraging results on the ground. Since December 2021, the Malian Defence and Security Forces have continued their large-scale offensives across the country, inflicting heavy losses on extremist groups, including the neutralization of terrorist leaders. Such operations have led to the destruction of several terrorist bases, a number of arrests and the recovery of a large quantity of war material. They have strengthened the population’s sense of security, leading to the return of more than 80,000 internally displaced persons to their places of origin.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“In that regard, I recall that, by an order of 24 March, the WAEMU Court of Justice ordered a stay of execution of the sanctions imposed by the WAEMU Conference of Heads of State and Government. The Government of Mali notes with regret that, despite being notified by both Mali and the Court, and despite the human and social impact on the population, the Economic Community and the Conference of Heads of State have declined to execute the order, which is nevertheless effective immediately and not subject to appeal. There is reason to wonder whether this is not a policy of double standards, motivated by a determination to suffocate the Malian people. That attitude is influenced by thinly veiled external agendas and pressures to punish a people for its political choices and achieve regime change.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the political and institutional instability that has become chronic in Mali is rooted in poorly organized elections and bad governance. The transitional Government is therefore keen to make some major reforms aimed in particular at ensuring the stability of institutions and a better future for the Malian people. It is also necessary to create minimum security conditions to allow for the holding of elections. In that respect, the Malian Government remains committed to dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including on the duration of the transition. Furthermore, the Government of Mali calls for the immediate lifting of the unjust, illegal, illegitimate and inhuman sanctions imposed by ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Mr. Konfourou (Mali) (spoke in French): The Government of Mali takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/278). I thank my brother, Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), for his briefing. on behalf of the Government of Mali, I would now like to respond to the Secretary-General’s report and to the Council’s observations, to which I have listened to carefully. I begin with the need for a return to constitutional order in Mali, which was mentioned by the Secretary- General in his report and by several members of the Security Council. As the Council is aware, this issue is one of the priorities of the transitional Government, because Malians are committed to democracy.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“It is also with those frozen assets that Mali is paying its civil servants and providing water, electricity and other basic social services to its citizens. Mali was not able to pay back its investors last month owing to the asset freeze on the books of the Central Bank of West African States. That is also preventing Mali from seeking to assist its refugees and displaced persons. It is therefore clear that the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS are essentially targeting the Malian people. Nonetheless, despite the illegal, illegitimate and inhuman nature of those sanctions, Mali remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS to reach a consensus that takes account of both the best interests of the Malian people and respect for our common organization’s principles.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Mali, finally, opposed the freezing of the assets of the Malian State and of public and quasi-public companies in ECOWAS commercial banks. ECOWAS is trying to explain, unconvincingly, that those sanctions are not targeting the Malian people and that essential products have been spared by the scope of the border closure between ECOWAS member States and Mali, which is a landlocked country. However, the reality is quite different. ECOWAS and WAEMU sanctions essentially target the population of Mali, which instead would require regional solidarity. Indeed, it is with the Government’s frozen resources, at the level of the BCEAO, that Mali is running its hospitals, its health-care centres and its schools for the benefit of the Malian people.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“I would recall, with regard to WAEMU, that an embargo decided by Heads of State and Government enforced against a sovereign State represents a manifest violation of the WAEMU Treaty and the statute of the Central Bank of Western African States (BCEAO). In addition, an asset freeze against a State or public or quasi-public companies in that State may not be enforced by the Central Bank, which remains a totally independent body to which each member State has conceded its sovereign right of issuance. Turning to ECOWAS, the Malian Government has denounced and rejected the closure of the land and air borders between ECOWAS member States and Mali. We have further condemned the suspension of trade transactions between ECOWAS countries and Mali as well as the freezing of the assets of the Republic of Mali in ECOWAS central banks.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“The goal of finding a happy medium between the effectiveness and the harmful consequences of sanctions should also inspire regional and subregional organizations when they decide to resort to sanctions against a member State for various reasons. The political, economic and financial sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) against Mali on 9 January will have disastrous humanitarian consequences for the Malian population, which has already been sorely tested by a decade of particularly deadly warfare, with the disastrous effects that, alas, we all are aware of. Most of the sanctions have no legal basis. They are blatant violations of the foundational texts of those organizations and a breach of the principles of solidarity and the pan-African ideal.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Nonetheless, Security Council sanctions could be further improved in the spirit of the 2005 World Summit Outcome document (resolution 60/1), which provides, in its paragraph 106, that sanctions should be “implemented in ways that balance effectiveness to achieve the desired results against the possible adverse consequences, including socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences, for populations”. The Security Council will recall that in 2017 it decided on an asset freeze and travel ban against those responsible for blocking the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali resulting from the Algiers process. Today, four years after its establishment. it has become relevant to undertake a careful process of reflection on the effectiveness of that individual sanctions regime.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Mr. Konfourou (Mali) (spoke in French): I should like to begin by congratulating the Russian presidency of the Security Council for having organized this debate, on preventing the humanitarian and unintended consequences of sanctions. More than half a century after the establishment of the first sanctions regime, Mali is convinced that today’s discussion will enable a greater understanding of all general sanctions-related issues, particularly the prevention of their unintended humanitarian consequences for innocent people. I know that the Security Council has made progress since 1968, as underlined this morning, by moving from global to more targeted sanctions so that they are in line with clearly defined objectives from the start, while also implementing carveouts for humanitarian reasons or to promote dialogue in a peace process.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“On the issue of increasing the personnel of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, to which some Council members made reference, I am happy to once again inform the Council that the Government of Mali agreed to the request of the Government of Chad to deploy 1,000 additional troops to Aguelhok. In conclusion, I would like to state emphatically that the people and the Government of Mali reiterate their appreciation and gratitude for the enormous contribution of the Security Council to the stabilization efforts under way in Mali. I pay tribute to all victims of the Malian crisis — civilian and military, foreign and Malian — who have fallen on the field of battle in Mali.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Under the development chapter of the Agreement, the Government set up a northern regions development fund, and I am delighted that the 16 projects selected in that framework were launched on 21 October, as noted by the Secretary-General in his report. I appeal here to Mali’s partners to continue to help Mali finance that specific development strategy for the regions of northern Mali. With regard to the current situation in central Mali, the Government is working on the implementation of the integrated management strategy in central Mali, which focuses on strengthening the security arrangements in the centre and the planned dialogue with our moderate compatriots.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“We are open to all Council members and every partner of Mali that is willing to help us restore peace and constitutional order to Mali. The people of are Mali are the ones most committed to democracy. I understand members’ concerns and hope they will be at our side to accompany us in that process. On the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation on Mali, I recall that the Government and the signatory movements remain committed to its diligent and intelligent implementation. The signatory parties remain committed to accelerating the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. The National Refoundation Conference, which I spoke about just now, strengthened the implementation of the accord. The Conference recommends the drafting of a new constitution that would include, among other major reforms, the creation of a senate.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Our people are opposed to being divided through friendship with one segment of the population pitted against another segment. The better we understand that, the sooner we will be able to reach our common objectives. I would also like to say a few words to my friend Mrs. Thomas-Greenfield, the Ambassador of the United States of America. First, I thank her for the strong message delivered at the end of her statement. The President of the Transition said it yesterday and I will repeat it: Mali will never be confrontational or isolationist with its traditional partners. We have complex and difficult problems to resolve. We can no longer bury our wives and children, and neither can we continue to watch the destruction and burning of our villages and crops or the destruction of our social cohesion.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“My country remains open to all partners who wish to help it meet the many challenges our people face. It is in that context that Mali has maintained a relationship of State-to-State cooperation with the Russian Federation since 1960. And it is thanks to that historic and dynamic cooperation that Russian instructors are currently in Mali to advise and train Malian soldiers in the use of the equipment acquired from the Russian Federation. I wish for my dear friend Ambassador De Rivière to empathize with and support the people of Mali in its pursuit of peace and stability. The people of Mali are committed to the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and secular nature of the Republic of Mali. In unison, the Malian people say that all partners of Mali are partners of all the people of Mali.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Those operations will continue and intensify with the ultimate objective of restoring the authority of the State, providing basic administrative and social services throughout the national territory and protecting our people and their property. I salute all the partners who are supporting Mali in achieving those objectives. I will take this opportunity to respond to a comment made by my colleague the Ambassador of France and certain members of the Security Council who accuse the Government of Mali of utilizing a private security company. Those who promote this campaign of misinformation know full well that Mali has not contracted any private security company and that there are no mercenaries present on Malian soil. For its part, Mali does not seek confrontation — not at all.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“First, in terms of security, it has been noted that the Government continues to intensify its efforts to recruit, train and equip the armed and security forces, with a view to strengthening their operational capacities, and I can tell members of the Council that those actions are producing very encouraging results on the ground. In December 2021, the Malian Defence and Security Forces launched a vast offensive throughout the country, which continues to this day and is inflicting heavy losses on extremist groups, including terrorist leaders. Several arrests took place, and a large quantity of war material was recovered.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“On that occasion, he also called on ECOWAS to review its interpretation of the situation in Mali by conducting an in-depth analysis and putting the interests of the Malian people above all other considerations. Finally, the transitional President reaffirmed his determination to do everything possible for a rapid return to constitutional order and a peaceful and secure Mali. The Government of Mali is therefore appealing to the solidarity and support of friendly countries and institutions. I would like to thank the African peoples who are showing their support for the Malian people in this difficult situation. I would now like to respond to certain observations made by a number of Council members.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“With regard to ECOWAS, the Government of Mali has denounced and rejected the following decisions, which are not based on any Community text: the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Mali, the suspension of commercial transactions between ECOWAS countries and Mali, the freezing of assets of the Republic of Mali in ECOWAS central banks and the freezing of assets of the Malian State, public and parastatal enterprises in the commercial banks of ECOWAS countries. In his address to the nation on 10 January, the transitional President of Mali, His Excellency Mr. Assimi Goïta, declared that, despite the illegal, illegitimate and inhumane nature of certain decisions, Mali remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS to find consensus between the interests of the Malian people and respect for the principles of the organization.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“The Government of Mali has vigorously condemned those illegal and illegitimate sanctions taken by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and ECOWAS in flagrant violation of the founding texts of those organizations and in contradiction with the principles of solidarity and the pan-African ideal. I would like to remind the Council that, with regard to WAEMU, an embargo decided by Heads of State and Government applicable to a sovereign State constitutes a clear violation of the WAEMU treaty and the statutes of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Moreover, the freezing of the assets of a State or its public and parastatal enterprises cannot be imposed by the BCEAO, which remains an independent body to which each member State has granted its sovereign right to issue currency.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“All of us have heard that, throughout the month of December, Malians undertook an uncompromising diagnosis of their country’s current challenges. The relevant recommendations that came out of those meetings constitute a new road map for the transitional Government. The political and institutional reforms recommended will guarantee lasting institutional stability and a better future for our people. Following those meetings, the Government of Mali immediately began consultations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the transition timetable. However, it was with amazement that we learned of the adoption of economic and financial sanctions against Mali. Those measures come in stark contrast to the Government’s efforts and its willingness to engage in dialogue with a view to reaching a compromise with ECOWAS.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Mr. Konfourou (Mali) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by saying that the Government of Mali takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2021/1117). I would like to thank my dear brother and friend Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his briefing. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my sister Ms. Adam Dicko for her contribution to today’s debate. Having listened to members of the Security Council, I would like to respond on behalf of the Government of Mali both to the observations of the Secretary-General in his report and to the remarks I heard today. I would like to begin with the sociopolitical situation in Mali, which was marked by the holding of the Assises nationales de la refondation.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“I would also like to reiterate the gratitude of the Government and the people of Mali to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, to all regional and international organizations and to all the troop-contributing countries for their sacrifices in order to reach a definitive and lasting solution to the Malian crisis. I pay tribute to the memory of all the victims of this crisis — civilian and military, foreign and Malian — who have fallen on the field of battle in Mali. The meeting rose at 12.30 p.m.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“The Council will note that in its 27 October communiqué, the ECOWAS Commission recognizes that the recall of its representative had already begun in order to put a stop to his actions. Unfortunately, in the interim, the representative continued his destabilizing actions. I would like to underscore that these were individual, personal measures taken against the relevant person and that we will continue to pursue close cooperation with ECOWAS. In conclusion, I would like to emphatically state that the Government and the people of Mali reiterate their appreciation and gratitude for the Security Council’s tremendous contribution to ongoing stabilization efforts in my country and beyond, in the Sahel region.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“That is why we reiterate our call to the Security Council for a robust mandate — under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations and for predictable and sustainable financing of the Joint Force, including through the United Nations, in order to ensure the full operationalization of the Joint Force. We also support the proposal to create a United Nations support office for the G-5 Sahel Joint Force. Certain Council members made reference to and lamented the departure of the ECOWAS representative from Mali. I note that the Government was forced to take that extreme measure against the individual in question because his actions and behaviour were contrary to his mandate. ECOWAS leadership had been informed of the situation several months prior and the individual in question was issued a warning by Malian authorities.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“This humanitarian situation could be further aggravated by this year’s poor rainy season and the growing insecurity in the central regions of the country, which are the primary production areas. With the support of bilateral and multilateral partners, the Government is working to create the right conditions for the safe and dignified return of our people and to alleviate their suffering, including with a view to ensuring their participation in the upcoming general elections in Mali. Speaking of the regional dimension, the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel), with its two pillars of security and development, constitutes a comprehensive, adequate and sustainable response to the multiple challenges of our common space.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“This shows the Malian Government’s commitment, despite the many challenges, to spare no effort in the fight against impunity. It is true, however, that the security situation on the ground, the absence of competent public services in certain localities and the lack of expertise in certain areas do not allow for the rapid completion of certain procedures. I therefore take this opportunity to call for more support — in the form of training, equipment, expertise and adequate funding — from the international community in order to help Mali meet these challenges. The Government remains concerned about the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Mali due to growing insecurity. We are saddened to see hundreds of thousands of Malians in refugee camps in neighbouring countries or in camps for internally displaced persons.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“In that respect, we call for the deployment of rapid intervention brigades capable of carrying out operations to protect the population against extremist threats. I would like to stress that the Government remains firmly committed to respecting and ensuring respect for human rights, both for national and international forces. To that end, the Malian justice system is automatically informed of all reported human rights violations. The Court of Assizes in Bamako is currently holding a session specifically devoted to cases of terrorism and human rights violations is currently being held in Bamako. Similarly, just a few months ago, the Mopti Court of Assizes convicted 12 individuals implicated in the attacks in Koulogon Peuhl, in the Bankass cercle, which resulted in the death of 37 people.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“However, there is a strong desire for peace and a thirst for security among the Malian people, who demand the effectiveness of the political and military instruments put in place. Mali has become an overmilitarized country, but it is paradoxically very vulnerable to terrorism and other forms of organized crime. That is why the Government of Mali is requesting intensive consultations, especially at the operational level, to better appreciate the relevance of the MINUSMA troop surge initiative. We want to better understand its added value, its effectiveness and its coordination with our own forces on the ground; and we call for more joint actions and operations on the ground. I would like to stress the need to adapt MINUSMA’s mandate to the real security needs of Mali.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“With regard to the current situation in central Mali, it is important to note that it is an extension of the instability created in the northern regions. To address it, the Government is finalizing a new integrated management strategy for central Mali. The strategy includes political and security measures, in particular the strengthening of the security apparatus in the centre and planned dialogue with moderate compatriots in order to remove them from radical, often foreign, extremist groups. We believe that these measures are likely to create a favourable environment for the return of administrative and social services to the abandoned areas. On the question of increasing the number of MINUSMA troops and police, I would like to stress once again that there is no anti-MINUSMA sentiment in Mali.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“The Government intends to integrate the remaining 1,160 as soon as it receives the list of representatives of the Coordination des mouvements de l’Azawad. In addition, the Government of Mali remains willing to soon integrate other ex-combatants of the signatory movements into the country’s armed and security forces, civil service and the paramilitary bodies, provided the funding is available within the national budget. In addition, we have taken steps to increase the representation of women in all the mechanisms for the implementation of the agreement. As of today, nine women are already on the Agreement Monitoring Committee and three more are expected to join them, bringing the number of women to 12.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“On the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation on Mali, which emerged from the Algiers process, I would first like to recall that the transitional Government is fully aware that the sustainable stabilization of Mali also depends on the Agreement’s implementation. The forty-fifth session of the Agreement Monitoring Committee, held in Bamako on 5 October, offered the Malian parties the opportunity to renew their commitments to the completion of the accelerated disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. In that regard, I recall that out of 3,000 ex-combatants to be reintegrated under the signatory movements and for the sake of inclusiveness, 1,840 have already been integrated into the reconstituted national army.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“At the end of the Assises nationales, an electoral timetable will be presented to ECOWAS. I note that the Government is already working hard to ensure the proper preparations for the upcoming elections, particularly through the establishment of the single electoral management body, whose members are expected to be appointed in November; the revision of the electoral rolls, which began on 1 October 2021 and will continue until 31 December 2021; the special voter registration operations, including in Mali’s diplomatic and consular missions; and, above all, the adoption of the electoral law by the National Transition Council next month.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source