YouSaid · the spoken record

Wane

lines on the record: 246
first: 2016-11-18
most recent: 2023-08-28
sittings or episodes: 15
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

“Those advances are therefore commendable, but it is also clear that the success of the electoral process will depend on a multitude of factors, including the availability of financial and logistical resources and the evolution of the security situation, which has an impact on all stages of the electoral cycle. Enhancing the inclusiveness of the process will also be important. On that note, it is worth mentioning that between July and October, the Malian Government held six consultations with political parties and civil society on different aspects of the electoral process. MINUSMA and the United Nations Country Team are actively involved in supporting the electoral process, providing important technical and logistical support and participating in the follow-up mechanism.”
2022-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9154 (2022) · source
“The Authority will now proceed with the operationalization of the various national, regional and local structures and coordination units within Mali’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad. I would also like to add that the mechanism for monitoring the timetable of the political and electoral reform, which involves the Malian parties, including a number of ministers, including Mr. Diop, and the multilateral partners concerned — ECOWAS, the African Union and MINUSMA — is now fully operational, both at the technical and political levels. Its steering committee has met four times thus far, with the most recent meeting having taken place on 13 October.”
2022-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9154 (2022) · source
“The draft also provides for the establishment of a bicameral parliament, with the creation of a national high council, and recognizes alternative methods of dispute resolution, with provisions that will greatly facilitate the implementation of the 2015 the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, resulting from the Algiers process. The draft constitution is expected to be adopted by the Council of Ministers by the end of November and then be put to a referendum. Following the adoption of the Electoral Law in June and its subsequent entry into force, steps were also taken to establish a single body, the Independent Authority for Election Management. The Authority’s 15 members were officially appointed on 12 October.”
2022-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9154 (2022) · source
“In the lead-up to the constitutional referendum scheduled for March 2023, the commission responsible for drafting the constitution, which began its work in late June, held a series of consultations with a wide range of Malian stakeholders in July and August. That work culminated in the presentation of the draft constitution to the transitional President on 11 October. The draft is based on the recommendations of the national dialogue on the reform process, with an emphasis on good governance and combating corruption.”
2022-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9154 (2022) · source
“I am grateful for the opportunity to brief the Security Council once again on the situation in Mali. At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, and the other members of the Council, for your continued support to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Since the members of the Council already have the report of the Secretary- General before them (S/2022/731), I will focus on the main developments in Mali and MINUSMA efforts since June. First, and as noted in the Secretary-General’s report, following the agreement reached in early July between Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the transition timetable, significant progress has been made in preparing for the elections.”
2022-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9154 (2022) · source
“If anything, the Malian people, as demonstrated during the Assises nationales de la refondation, harbour deep aspirations for reform, transparent governance and accountability. Those aspirations and the forces driving them, including civil society, have shown great resilience and deserve the international community’s full support.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“We will take advantage of the proposed review to come up with proposals on the best way that MINUSMA can continue to deliver on its priorities in Mali and assess the level of our cooperation between the authorities and the Mission. That last point is important, as in recent months MINUSMA has experienced restrictions to its ground and air operations, as well as significant delays in the rotation of uniformed personnel from West Africa. I cannot emphasize enough how critical the freedom of movement is to achieving the desired level of effectiveness in support of Mali and its people. We will continue working constructively with our Malian partners on that issue with a view to resolving the existing problems. While the challenges in Mali are numerous and complex, they are far from insurmountable.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“In 2022, 7.5 million people will require humanitarian assistance, compared with 5.9 million in 2021. The total number of internally displaced persons stands at 370,000, and more than 1.8 million people will be in immediate need of food assistance by August, the highest level recorded since 2014. The commendable efforts of the humanitarian actors to meet their needs are unfortunately hampered by the lack of adequate funding. So far, only 11.1 per cent of the $686 million requested for 2022 has been mobilized. In view of the challenges I have highlighted, I would like to echo the Secretary-General’s acknowledgement of the need for MINUSMA’s continued presence and his recommendation that its mandate be extended for another year.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“The list of presumed perpetrators of human rights abuses continues to be led by extremist groups but, unfortunately, we have also seen an increase in violations associated with operations by the Malian defence forces, allegedly supported by foreign security personnel in central Mali. In that context, we will continue to pay very close attention to monitoring the human rights situation and reporting on violations. We will also sustain our dialogue with the Malian authorities and enhance our capacity-building support and training for the Defence and Security Forces. In that regard, in 2021 the Mission delivered 122 training sessions benefiting a total of 3,269 Malian Defence and Security Forces personnel. The overall security environment has compounded the humanitarian situation in the country.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“Secondly, military operations must be undertaken with due regard for human rights and international humanitarian law. That is not just a matter of ethics but one of operational efficacy, because the support of the local populations is vital to the success of the counter- insurgency. In that regard, I note with concern that some of the operations conducted during the period under review were marred by allegations of human rights violations. Overall, and based on our investigations from January to March of this year, there was a sharp increase in human rights abuses compared to the previous quarter.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“Going forward, the success of the Malian-led operations will hinge on two critical factors. First, the operations must be anchored in a comprehensive approach that addresses Mali’s institutional, governance and socioeconomic challenges, which provide fertile ground for the spread of violent extremism. In that respect, progress has been made in developing a Malian-led political strategy. MINUSMA is providing multifaceted support to that process while pursuing its efforts to foster local reconciliation and facilitate the extension of State authority and the delivery of basic services. In conjunction with the United Nations country team, we are also taking steps to align our activities with the Malian strategy, once it is formally adopted.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“In the centre, insecurity continues to be driven by a combination of intercommunal conflicts, long-standing governance issues and activity by violent extremists targeting civilians and their livelihoods, as well as the Malian Defence and Security Forces and MINUSMA. To address that situation, since late December the Malian army has significantly stepped up its military campaign with the aim of stabilizing the region, which is home to more than 30 per cent of the Malian population. While there has been undeniable improvement in some areas and a concomitant weakening of the extremist groups, those groups still continue to make frequent attacks on Malian and MINUSMA forces, as well as civilian populations suspected of collaborating with the Malian forces.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“Other examples include prioritizing the protection of civilians through long-range patrols, such as in Tessit and Talataye in the Gao region; establishing temporary operating bases in Ansongo, in the Gao region, and Ogossagou, in the Mopti region; and deploying quick-reaction forces and patrols along main roads and supply routes to ensure the freedom of movement and deter terrorist attacks on key infrastructure, including bridges. In that regard, I would like to honour the memory of all the peacekeepers who have lost their lives since the inception of the Mission. Their ultimate sacrifice illustrates the challenges and complexities we face and further underscores the need to ensure that the Mission has the requisite capabilities, including armed and utility helicopters.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“Should such an attack come to pass, the MINUSMA base is likely to be perceived as the last haven for civilians fleeing violence. With limited Malian forces in the area and only some 600 peacekeepers available to protect civilians, United Nations personnel and assets, MINUSMA’s ability to mount an effective response is limited. We are making contingency plans to temporarily enhance our presence by relocating additional troops and capabilities, redistributing tasks to increase situational awareness and better protect civilians and improving our coordination with the Malian Defence and Security Forces. Our ability to adjust quickly in response to the threat in Ménaka is one example of how the force and the MINUSMA police have become more proactive in their operations.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“Since the beginning of this year, we have seen a deterioration in the Liptako-Gourma tri-border area, with consequent effects on the Ménaka and Gao regions. Attacks by the Islamic State in the Ménaka region have killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands of civilians. While those developments are connected to local trafficking dynamics, intercommunal differences and the lack of development opportunities, they are also taking place against a backdrop of the ongoing redeployment from Mali of Operation Barkhane and the Takuba Task Force. I was in Ménaka two weeks ago and saw first-hand the impact of that developing situation. My interlocutors did not rule out an attack on the town of Ménaka, where 5,000 internally displaced persons have been sheltering so far.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“More specifically, the focus has been, and continues to be, on the organization of the high-level decision-making meeting agreed by the parties nine months ago, with the objective of finalizing the details of a comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process on the basis of the Government’s offer to integrate a total of 26,000 combatants into State structures and a common understanding of the broad outlines of the institutional reforms necessary to fully implement the peace agreement. The Mission fully supports the preparation of that meeting, and I hope that the parties will achieve the long-awaited progress in the peace process. (spoke in English) The security situation remains volatile and is of particular concern along the tri-border area and in the centre.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“During the reporting period, efforts to move the peace process forward were further complicated by the lack of trust among the signatory parties, disputes over issues that are important, but not crucial to the process and the de facto paralysis of the Agreement Monitoring Committee, which has not met since October last year, depriving the parties and their partners of a structured forum for discussion to address challenges and find solutions. In that context, MINUSMA and Algeria, as the lead country in the international mediation, have made sustained efforts to encourage the effective implementation of the peace agreement, in particular through the holding of several mediation meetings and continued interaction with the Malian Government and the other signatory parties.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to again commend ECOWAS for its continued commitment to supporting a successful transition in Mali. The prolonged uncertainty surrounding the duration of the transition has made it more difficult to make progress in other areas, leaving little political space for a sustained commitment to the implementation of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. It is important to bear in mind that some of the crucial reforms envisaged in the peace process depend on the successful completion of the transition.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“Subsequently, the President of the Transition issued two decrees, on 6 and 10 June, respectively, formalizing a 24-month extension of the transition from 26 March 2022 and establishing a commission to draw up a preliminary draft constitution, which must finalize its work within two months. The adoption of the draft electoral law — a process that is significantly supported by MINUSMA — is scheduled for this month and will lay the groundwork for the operationalization of the single independent electoral management body. In the upcoming period, MINUSMA will continue its efforts to support a consensual way out of the crisis, including by assisting, as appropriate, in developing a detailed electoral timeline, establishing a robust monitoring mechanism and creating an atmosphere conducive to holding free, fair and credible elections.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“On 4 June, in Accra, the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) once again reviewed the situation in Mali. The deliberations took place in the light of the report presented by the mediator, former President Goodluck Jonathan, following his exchanges with the President of the Transition, on the eve of the summit, on how to reconcile the Malian request for a 24-month extension and the positions of the regional organization. After extensive discussions, the Heads of State and Government asked the mediator to continue the dialogue to reach an agreement by the time of its ordinary summit on 3 July.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking you, Madam President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on developments in Mali in relation to the recently released report of the Secretary- General (S/2022/446), in the context of the discussions on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Over the past three months, the Mission has continued to implement its mandate, based on the strategic priorities set out by the Security Council. I will start with an update on MINUSMA’s support to the transition under way in Mali. Since January, MINUSMA, in particular through the local follow-up committee on the transition, has remained actively involved in efforts to overcome the impasse related to the extended transition period.”
2022-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9061 (2022) · source
“While in all those places, as well as in Bamako, there is a clear frustration at the prevailing insecurity and, understandably, criticism at the shortcomings of the actions taken over the past decade or so, what I also heard and noticed was a strong yearning for peace and better governance, which was also expressed during the Assises nationales de la refondation. Malian political stakeholders need to collectively internalize that yearning and live up to the expectations of their people. For the sake of the Malian people, MINUSMA, which embodies the international solidarity that Mali so deserves and is entitled to in its hour of need, should also be given all the resources it requires to close the gap that continues to exist between what the Mission is mandated to do and what it can actually do.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“In the coming days, in conjunction with the other members of the local follow-up committee, we will continue to engage with the Malian authorities and other stakeholders to help to find a solution to the impasse. In the past 12 months, I had the privilege of crisscrossing our area of deployment. On several occasions, I travelled to the locations of Tessalit, Aguelhok and Kidal in the far north, the city of Timbuktu, as well as in Ber and Goundam, to the towns of Mopti, Dounetza, Bandiagara and Segou in central Mali and to the north-eastern part of the country, from Gao to Ansongo to Menaka. Everywhere I went, I interacted extensively with local communities and officials.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“The Summit emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement, given the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the country. It endorsed the proposal of 12 to 16 months put forward by the local follow-up committee as a basis for negotiation and mandated the mediator to return to Bamako to conclude a deal that would also ensure the gradual lifting of the sanctions levied on Mali. No effort should be spared to achieve an agreement regarding the transition. That would make it possible not only to lift the sanctions, a critical measure in view of the prevailing humanitarian situation, but also to create a more propitious environment for the pursuit of the other processes fundamental to the country’s stabilization.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“The impasse has unfortunately persisted, exacerbating tensions between Mali and ECOWAS and adversely impacting its relations with other international actors. As part of the local transition follow-up committee, which includes ECOWAS, the African Union and MINUSMA, the Mission has worked to arrive at an acceptable timetable for the holding of elections. The technical discussions that took place in February and March paved the way for the return to Bamako on two occasions of the ECOWAS mediator, former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria. While some progress was made, with Mali requesting an additional 24 months to bring the transition to an end, that was deemed to still be too long at the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in Accra on 25 March.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“In that context, the Council may wish to urge the parties to take advantage of the synergies that exist between the recommendations of the Assises nationales de la refondation and the peace agreement to reverse the cycle of recurring conflict in the north. Council members will recall that the political transition in Mali was to conclude in March, in accordance with the initial 18-month timetable negotiated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the August 2020 coup d’état. The non-completion of the transition within the agreed timelines led ECOWAS to impose economic and financial sanctions last January in addition to the individual measures decided a month earlier.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Against that backdrop, the Mission, in coordination with Algeria as the leader of the international mediation, has continued to engage the parties, encouraging them to move forward with the long-delayed high- level decision-making meeting expected to facilitate consensus on the critically important issues of global disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and institutional reforms. I note that the Government has shared with the signatory movements the draft terms of reference for the meeting. The current status quo carries huge risks for the future of the peace agreement and deprives local populations of the peace dividends for which they are yearning, while also increasing the threats facing our peacekeepers deployed in northern Mali, especially in locations such as Kidal, Aguelhok and Tessalit.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“During the period under review, no tangible progress was made in the peace process, a situation compounded by the fact that the Agreement Monitoring Committee has not met since October last year, depriving the parties and their international partners alike of the much-needed platform to collectively assess the challenges at hand and seek a consensual way forward. Instead, the past three months were marked by worrisome actions and rhetoric, not in line with the spirit of the Agreement. Furthermore, despite the efforts made, tensions remain between the Government and signatory movements over the issue of the Cadre stratégique permanent — the structure put in place by the latter with the stated aim of reconciling northern communities.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“In the meantime, MINUSMA continues to carry out important tasks linked to the protection of civilians, as in Ogossagou and along the Douentza- Petaka road in the central part of Mali, the protection of physical infrastructure and related livelihoods in the strategic axis linking Sévaré to Bandiagara and local reconciliation agreements. In the same vein, we recently launched a pilot project in the Douentza region to improve relations between the Malian Defence and Security Forces and the communities.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“While military and security operations are an absolute necessity in combating terrorism, experience has time and again shown that such an approach alone cannot bring about long-lasting stability, especially in an environment as complex as the one prevailing in central Mali. First, the operations need to be conducted in ways that minimize, to the full extent possible, civilian harm and uphold human rights and international humanitarian law principles. Secondly, they have to be complemented by practical and sustained steps focusing on the root causes of conflict and violence. In that respect, the finalization by the Malian Government of its strategy for the centre and its effective implementation are a must for the stabilization of the region.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“While the announcement last night by the Prosecutor of the Mopti military tribunal of the opening of an investigation, including the deployment to the field of the required personnel, is a welcome initiative, it is also imperative that the Malian authorities extend the necessary cooperation for MINUSMA to have access to the site of the alleged violations, in line with its mandate. More generally on human rights, MINUSMA has opened 17 investigations into allegations of indiscriminate attacks against civilians, extrajudicial arrests, mistreatment, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in central Mali since the beginning of this year. We are currently finalizing an update on the human rights situation, which will cover the period from January to March of this year.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Last week’s offensive by the Malian armed forces against Katiba Macina elements in Moura village, south of Mopti, falls within the scope of those operations. In a communiqué issued on 1 April, the Malian armed forces asserted that they had neutralized scores of terrorist elements controlling the area. At the same time, MINUSMA also received reports of serious human rights abuses committed against large numbers of civilians during the operation. The Mission sought access to the area and was able to conduct a reconnaissance overflight on 3 April. Until now, authorization for the sending of an integrated mission has not been issued despite extensive engagement with the national authorities.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Given such challenges, it is imperative that the level of our capabilities and troops be maintained. It is equally important that adequate responses be found to the challenges related to our capability shortfalls, as well as to the national caveats of troop- and police-contributing countries. (spoke in English) As announced by the Malian authorities to the Council during its October visit, Malian forces have stepped up their counter-terrorism efforts in the centre to break the chokehold of extremist groups over large swaths of the region. While it is still too early to assess their long-term impact, those operations appear to have contributed to a decrease in armed clashes between community defence forces and terrorist groups, vehicle hijackings, abductions and attacks on people’s livelihoods and local infrastructure.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“The same patrol continued to monitor the area around Tessit and, on 24 and 27 March, forced armed groups to abandon their equipment and flee the area. In response to the attack on Talataye, the MINUSMA force redeployed a mobile task force unit from Ansongo-Labezanga to Talataye on 31 March, followed by the redeployment of another in the same area on 1 April. Those units have contributed to stabilizing the security situation. Even if the trigger for the resumption of violence in the tri-border area seems to be linked to local trafficking and related dynamics, it should be noted that such incidents occur in the context of the withdrawal of the forces of Operation Barkhane and Task Force Takuba. Facing less pressure, terrorist groups enjoy greater leeway, posing increased danger to both civilians and our operations.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“On the same day, the Islamic State also attacked the commune of Talataye, causing significant population displacement and the deaths of several civilians. In coordination with Malian armed forces, MINUSMA deployed three units of its mobile task force in the area between Ansongo, Labezanga and Tessit. From 21 March, a unit has patrolled between Tessit and the Niger border, on the west side of the Niger River; another does the same between Ansongo and Labezanga, on the east side of the river; and a third unit has been deployed to Ansongo. It is in that context that, on 22 March, a Malian armed forces helicopter taking part in a deterrence operation near Tessit opened fire near one of our patrols. Fortunately, the incident caused no casualties or injuries. An investigation is under way to clarify the circumstances of the incident.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“The clashes in the Ménaka region, which occurred 200 kilometres from the closest positions of the Malian Defence and Security Forces and of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), caused the deaths of at least 40 civilians and the displacement of approximately 3,640 households. In response to those incidents, MINUSMA stepped up its patrols in the town of Ménaka, allowing the Malian Defence and Security Forces and signatory groups to more robustly mobilize to respond to the situation. South of the Gao region, elements of the Islamic State continued their attacks against Tessit, including against a camp of the Malian armed forces on 21 March.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Mr. Wane: I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to update the Security Council. (spoke in French) Since my previous briefing (see S/PV.8945), the overall situation in Mali has remained extremely worrisome. Civilians face immense suffering. There has been no significant progress in the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. Moreover, despite considerable efforts to that end, there is yet no consensus on the duration of the transition. I would like to start with an overview of the security situation. In addition to the incidents noted in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/278), the month of March saw several deadly attacks perpetrated by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, in the Ménaka region and south of Gao.”
2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source
“Mali’s partners should build on those aspirations to help lay the foundations for lasting stability. Every effort should be made to resolve the current challenges linked to the transition process as soon as possible. A protracted impasse would make it much harder to find a consensual way out, while increasing hardship for the population and further weakening State capacity. Such a scenario would have far-reaching consequences for Mali and its neighbours. Beyond the political transition, it is crucial that the Council continues to pay equal attention to the implementation of the peace agreement and to the stabilization of the centre, which are two other building blocks for a peaceful a stable Mali.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Once operationalized, that would provide more flexibility to respond to threats against civilians and peacekeepers, while also providing the Mission with more room to support the Malian Defence and Security Forces. It has been a decade since the crisis started. Unfortunately, hopes for an early resolution did not materialize. Instead, insecurity has become more widespread, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated, more children are out of school and the country has been plagued by an endless cycle of instability. Yet, the situation would have been far worse without the sustained and multifaceted engagement of the international community, including through the deployment of MINUSMA. As Mali faces difficult times, we observe a deep aspiration among the people of Mali to reform, improve governance and create a more effective State.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“For instance, 49 tons of food were delivered to Farabougou through 22 flights from 21 December to 6 January. Much has also been done to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, in the light of the marked evolution of the threat, notably in tactics and the lethality of improvised explosives devices and mines. Significant improvements in terms of camp security and the contingents’ preparedness, equipment and detection capabilities over the years have clearly saved many lives, but those efforts must continue. MINUSMA is also actively exploring the opening of additional supply routes in order to reduce risk to our convoys. As the Council knows, the Republic of Chad recently offered to deploy 1,000 additional troops to MINUSMA, a development that was welcomed by Malian authorities.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“MINUSMA, along with Malian reconciliation teams, also paved the way to the local reconciliation agreement signed in October between communities in Ogossagou, where some 200 civilians were killed in March 2019 and February 2020. Furthermore, MINUSMA, in support of the Malian Armed Forces, is protecting key roads and infrastructure that are vital to increasingly isolated populations and to our operations, in particular bridges along the key axis between Sévaré and Bandiagara. We also continue to extend support to the Malian Defence and Security Forces, notably through casualty evacuations, capacity- building and infrastructure. Finally, the Mission is supporting humanitarian efforts in villages that have been encircled for months by extremist groups in central Mali.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Despite a very difficult environment and capacity challenges, MINUSMA peacekeepers continue to do their level best to protect civilians, main supply routes and key infrastructure, as well as support Malian institutions and promote local reconciliation and community engagement. Here, I would like to highlight our effective response in Aguelhok, in Mali’s far north, where MINUSMA’s robust response to attacks in April was complemented by engagement with local authorities and community leaders as well as stabilization projects. Another example is linked to the deployment of a quick reaction force and the establishment of a temporary operating base in Tassiga, in the Gao region, after extremists threatened the local population if they did not leave the village.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Stronger support from the international community is urgently needed to address this funding gap. One of the most concerning consequences of violence in the Sahel in the past few years is its impact on education. In Mali, more than half a million children have been affected by school closures, putting the future of the country in jeopardy and making youth more vulnerable to radicalization and abuse. MINUSMA is making every effort to physically verify the status of schools during patrols in remote locations, while United Nations agencies are working closely with the Education Ministry to implement key mitigation strategies. We are exploring options to better support such efforts, including in terms of security, through the use of our own programmatic funding and trust fund, as well as communication and outreach.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“The conflict has had a devastating impact on civilians and the humanitarian situation. On 3 December, for instance, 72 civilians, including 26 women and children, were killed near Songho, in central Mali, when their bus was attacked by extremist elements. The number of displaced persons has increased from 216,000 in 2020 to more than 400,000 a year later. The deteriorating security situation also affects agriculture production — more than 1.8 million people are expected to need food assistance in 2022, compared to 1.3 million in 2021. This would be the highest level of food insecurity recorded since 2014. Despite such difficult circumstances, the response to the humanitarian appeal has been lukewarm, as only 38 per cent of funds needed were received.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“These efforts, made in support to the Peace Agreement and the stabilization of the centre, were undertaken as 2021 saw more extremist attacks than any years prior and with MINUSMA facing the highest number of casualties since 2013, following a significant rise of asymmetric attacks targeting main axes, convoys, camps and temporary operating bases. The series of coordinated attacks against our camps, as well as the death of 28 peacekeepers in 2021, including of seven Togolese in a single incident in December, underlines the dangerous environment in which MINUSMA continues to operate. I would like to pay tribute to all of our troop- and police-contributing countries, including those from the region, who constitute the bulk of our troops and have been supporting Mali since the very beginning of the crisis in 2012.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“It has also pursued its efforts on the ground, notably by supporting the reconstituted battalions, now an integral part of the Malian armed forces, including the one in Kidal, which is currently planning its fourth patrol, which is to take place by the end of month. MINUSMA’s approach towards the centre of Mali continues to be multifaceted and revolves around structured support for Malian authorities linked to the drafting of a politically led strategy for central Mali, as requested by the Security Council. A series of consultations has been undertaken in recent months by the Malian Cadre politique de gestion de la crise au centre with MINUSMA support to identify strategic approaches, priority efforts and quickly implementable actions in such fields as security, governance, development and humanitarian assistance.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“The international mediation led by Algeria, including MINUSMA and other international stakeholders, continued to be actively involved. On 5 January, the mediation met for the third time since October 2021 and called for the early convening of a decision-making meeting between the Malian signatories, which we hope will take place in the coming weeks and allow for overdue progress, most notably on global DDR on the basis of the Government’s concrete offer to integrate 26,000 combatants in the next two to three years. A high-level seminar to be organized next week will also allow all stakeholders to better operationalize the articles contained in the Independent Observer’s recommendations. MINUSMA has consistently continued to engage with Malian parties and international partners in support of the peace process.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Against the current political backdrop, the importance of the Mission’s priorities linked to the 2015 Peace Agreement and stabilization of the country’s centre cannot be overemphasized, as they are both critical to Mali’s long-term stability. In this regard, it should be noted that the Assises nationales de la refondation highlighted the need to enhance the implementation of the Peace Agreement. Some of its main recommendations — such as the constitutional review, the creation of a Senate and the acceleration of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and territorial-decentralization processes, — offer a window of opportunity on which all stakeholders should build to move forward on the implementation of the Peace Agreement.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Following the announcement, Mali made a number of decisions, including recalling its ambassadors from ECOWAS member States and closing its borders with them. In an address to the nation last evening, the Transition President called for calm and unity, and he also stated that Mali remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS to find a compromise that would reconcile the aspirations of the Malian people and respect the principles of the organization. Given that support to the transition is a key aspect of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), we will continue to work with Malian authorities alongside ECOWAS and the African Union to find a consensual way out to overcome the current impasse and facilitate Mali’s return to a path to peace and stability.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source
“Urging the Malian authorities to focus on a speedy return to constitutional order, they upheld the individual sanctions put in place on 12 December and imposed additional ones, including the recall of the ECOWAS member States ambassadors from Mali; the closing of land and air borders between member States and Mali; the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions, with exemptions for food products, medical supplies, petroleum and electricity; the freezing of Malian public-enterprise assets located in commercial banks in the region; and the suspension of financial assistance from ECOWAS institutions. As indicated by ECOWAS, these sanctions are to be reviewed and gradually lifted on the basis of the finalization of an acceptable timetable for elections and requisite progress towards its implementation.”
2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source