Mali: Civilians are paying the price as terrorist violence spreads, Security Council hears
El-Ghassim Wane, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations in Mali, MINUSMA, briefed the Security Council on important developments in the West African country over the past three months.
MINUSMA was established ten years ago after insecurity in the north and a failed military exit, which led to the signing of a peace agreement between the authorities and the two armed groups in 2015.
Resurrection in the fight
Mr. Wane updated the delegates on the peace process, and the progress in the transition to civilian government after the resignation of three years ago, but started by focusing on security, amid the rising humanitarian needs.
He said that the security crisis in the northeastern region of Ménaka has worsened, recalling that he had dismissed the alarm last year.
Since January, there has been renewed fighting between the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and the jihadist group JNIM. Extremists are competing to expand areas of influence and control supply lines, he said, while carrying out frequent attacks on civilians.
The humanitarian response is stressful
Despite the operations by the armed forces of Mali, and Niger, the security and humanitarian situation remains catastrophic. More than 30,000 displaced people have gathered near the main town, also called Ménaka, and nearly 2,400 have taken shelter near a MINUSMA camp. Mr Wane had visited the area three weeks ago.
“It’s a flow of displaced people increased pressure on the humanitarian responseincluding residents who have urgent needs for drinking water, food and medicine and shelter,” he said.
“Listening to the displaced people begging us, literally, for drinking water was an incredible experience,” he added.
MINUSMA peacekeepers continue their efforts to protect civilians, including through day and night patrols in coordination with Malian forces. The mission also promotes reconciliation efforts aimed at curbing tensions within the community.
Extremists step up die
Meanwhile, Gao and the central region of Mali have also seen clashes between ISGS and JNIM. Some of the armed groups that signed the peace deal have also been involved in the fight against ISIL.
Mr. Wane said that the activities of the Malian army have always stopped the activities that affect the center, forcing them to disperse to the surrounding areas of Timbuktu and Gao.
“Under this pressure, extremist groups have begun to use IEDs (improvised explosive devices) to prevent the ground movements of the Malian Defense Forces and Security Forces, in addition to surprise attacks on various police forces along with the main supply lines,” he said.
Given the situation, the recent adoption and launch of the Government’s three-year sustainability strategy for the centre, is an important step, he said. MINUSMA supports the development of the strategy and will assist with its implementation.
The UN police station is located in the Menaka region in northeastern Mali.
More coordination is needed
Regarding security challenges, Mr. Wane stressed the need proximity between the Malian forces and the UN Mission. He welcomed the recent steps taken at the local level, which he said must be improved, adding that freedom of movement is equally important.
“We continue to encounter challenges in this respect, particularly with regard to the use of our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, and some of our ground movements,” he said.
“Advances in this direction are essential to the ability of the Mission to meet the legitimate expectations of the Malian people and the authorities for effective implementation.”
2015 Peace Agreement
Turning to political developments, Mr. Wane reported that engagement around the 2015 Peace and Security Agreement continued, particularly towards ensuring the resumption of multiple monitoring systems.
The international mediators, led by Algeria, have submitted proposals in this way, and to speed up the implementation of the important provisions of the agreement, which it is hoped that the parties will consider.
Change to civil law
On the transition process, Mr. Wane reported that the constitutional referendum, scheduled for last month, has been postponed to ensure that the newly formed independent electoral management body (AIGE) is fully operational.
Although a new date has not yet been announced, the Malian authorities have stated that the delay will not jeopardize the restoration of the constitutional process by the March 2024 deadline.
The authorities have also taken steps to facilitate the completion of the transition process, including the completion of the constitution and adoption of important legal articles related to the electoral law and regional reorganization.
“Also noted is the ongoing establishment of AIGE regional units and the printing and distribution of biometric identity cards which will serve as voter cards,” he added.
Use ‘different mode’
Mr. Wane concluded his speech by saying that although the challenges in Mali are many, the progress that has been made in many places should not be overlooked “even if what we have done after 10 years of hard cooperation around the world is not in anticipation, not least of the Malians. person.”
These developments show that “with sustained attention by the international community and commitment from Mali’s stakeholders, the situation can change.”
He is convinced that the UN “offers the best strategies to support the long-term stabilization of Mali and the greater Sahel region”, in partnership with the African Union and the ECOWAS region.
“We have all the tools requiredranging from peace to peace and development, and the action is predicated on the principles that bind all members of the Organization, of which Mali is one,” he said.
“This is a unique situation should continue to be leveragedfor the importance of Mali’s stability for the region and beyond.”
