As United Nations Closes Mali Operation, Many Delegates in Security Council Urge Transitional Government to Guarantee Mission’s Safe, Unhindered Withdrawal
Closing a mission built over a decade within a period of six months is “a complex and ambitious endeavour”, especially amid a host of other constraints linked to security, logistics, geography and infrastructure, the top UN official in Mali told the Security Council today.
El-Ghassim Wane, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), said the Mission must complete by its deadline of 31 December 2023, the repatriation of 12,947 uniformed personnel, the relocation of a load of approximately 5,500 sea containers of contingent and UN-owned equipment and almost 4,000 vehicles and the closure and the handover of 12 camps.
Difficulties have already emerged during the first phase of the withdrawal plan with convoys targeted by improvised explosive devices and attacked by unidentified armed elements. The second phase of the withdrawal process will be “incredibly difficult”, he warned.
Additionally, parties in Mali have adopted diverging positions regarding the fate of camps. Transitional authorities have signaled that they intend to retake the Mission’s camps following MINUSMA’s withdrawal while the signatory movements object to the deployment of the Malian armed forces in areas they control, he said.
Beatrice Abouya, Acting Regional Director of Search for Common Ground, also briefing the 15-member organ, said that the UN and the international community must ensure that basic services and development resources continue to be available to Mali. As the international community “enters a new era in international cooperation on security in Mali”, she underlined the need for ongoing support for the country’s people.
“Decisions taken within this international body in the coming days will have a direct impact on the population of Mali,” she observed, urging those present to “keep in mind the reason we are meeting here today — to help the Malian people lead safe, prosperous lives”.
In the ensuing discussion, several Council members called on the Malian transitional authorities to guarantee MINUSMA’s safe withdrawal, without restrictions on its movements or supplies. They further expressed deep concern over the clashes that occurred at Ber camp and urged all parties to avoid any further escalation.
France’s delegate, calling on Malian parties to resume discussions, said that the UN must remain fully engaged in support of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. Echoing concerns of several delegates, she stressed the need to closely observe the impact the Mission’s withdrawal will have on daily life in Mali and people’s access to humanitarian assistance.
“Long-term UN engagement in Mali is essential,” stressed Japan’s representative, warning that the capacities of the UN to deliver humanitarian aid and support the protection of civilians will be “severely” impacted by the Mission’s speedy withdrawal.
Ghana’s delegate, also speaking for Gabon and Mozambique, welcomed the phased implementation of MINUSMA’s drawdown, adding that a withdrawal by 31 December “is still possible”. Noting growing tensions between various parties, he urged transitional authorities to renew their engagement with the signatory movements to preserve the ceasefire agreement.
The representative of the United States, Council President for August, speaking in her national capacity, said that “as many feared” the transitional Government’s decision to close MINUSMA has triggered renewed violence on the ground. The Mission’s withdrawal limits the international community’s ability to protect civilians from predation by the Wagner Group, whose activities contribute to greater insecurity in the country.
The representative of the Russian Federation, noting the growing cooperation between his country and Mali, pledged to continue provide that country and other interested African partners with comprehensive assistance. Unfortunately, cooperation with countries of the global South “on an equal and respectful footing” is something that Western countries are incapable of, he added......
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15398.doc.htm
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