Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) El-Ghassim Wane said that “the security situation in Mali remains quite volatile, marked by pockets of violence, with devastating consequences for civilians.
The head of the UN mission stressed the need to calm tensions between the government and the armed groups signatories to the peace agreement in light of the security situation in Gao and Menaka, noting that the mission also promotes reconciliation efforts aimed at defusing intra-communal tensions.
Malian authorities must make every effort to ensure that military operations against armed groups are conducted in full compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law, that violations and abuses are transparently and promptly investigated and that perpetrators are brought to justice.
The UN official drew the attention of Council members by saying that while the challenges in Mali are many, advances made in many areas should not be overlooked “even if what has been achieved after a decade of intense international engagement is below expectations, not least those of the Malian people.” Fighting has been going on in Gao and Menaka for some time between two armed groups, which has caused a massive displacement crisis.
For nine years, about 13,000 soldiers from several countries have been deployed in Mali, forming the UN Peacekeeping operation in this country, which is suffering security disturbances due to the activities of armed groups moving on the African coast, and threatening security and peace in a number of West African countries.
Source: Qatar News Agency