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United Nations Integrated Stabilization Mission for Mali (MINUSMA) - Security Council Open VTC
Building a politically stable, more secure Mali requires “collective and sustained commitment”, along with continued support for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the country, Secretary‑General António Guterres told the Security Council during a 11 June videoconference meeting*.
“We owe this to the people of Mali and the Sahel region,” he said, recalling that it has been five years since the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation was signed by Malian parties in Algiers. Despite protracted delays, important progress has been registered in the last year — notably through an inclusive national dialogue, which resulted in several resolutions and enabled parties to refocus on implementation of the peace accord.
In addition, he said that following the integration of 1,330 former combatants of the armed movements into the national defence and security forces, more than 1,100 personnel were redeployed to Kidal, Gao, Timbuktu and Menaka as part of the reconstituted units of the national armed forces. Action will resume soon to integrate 510 remaining combatants and another batch of 1,160 to reach the objective of 3,000 newly integrated soldiers by mid-2020.
Noting that the arrival of the first reconstituted unit in February marked the first formal presence of the national armed forces in Kidal since rebel forces took control of the main cities in northern Mali in 2012, he said these units will strengthen national armed forces in the country’s north, once fully operational.
“It is now paramount for all redeployed units to become operational,” he said. To this end, he called on all parties to live up to their commitments to urgently provide infrastructure, equipment, training and take measures to strengthen cohesion. An effective community-oriented police force is equally important.
Turning to the role of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), he said its good offices have been crucial in helping parties reach agreement on the modalities for the redeployment. Steps were also taken to operationalize the Northern Development Zone, with a view to addressing the drivers of instability. MINUSMA also supported legislative elections, held in March and April, which saw the highest percentage of women ever elected. However, he called for the immediate release of opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé, who was abducted during the electoral campaign.
In central Mali, he said terrorist activity continues to fuel violence. While welcoming the Prime Minister’s personal engagement, he said authorities must demonstrate their commitment to fight impunity, recalling that 128 peacekeepers were killed as a result of malicious acts, and not a single perpetrator has been held accountable. Alleged summary killings and executions of 38 civilians by Mali’s armed forces in two villages in Mopti region last weekend are equally appalling.
He said MINUSMA and the Secretariat have taken important steps to enhance the United Nations presence in central Mali and better protect civilians. “The Mission’s adaptation plan remains a viable proposal for a more agile, mobile and flexible operation,” he said, with tailored units and enhanced capabilities. “In an increasingly challenging security environment, additional air assets are urgently needed.”
He went on to emphasize that fighting terrorism is a joint responsibility, commending Mali’s army, the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) [Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger] joint force and French forces for stepping up their operations and improving coordination in the Liptako-Gourma region. He also commended France, Germany and the European Union for spearheading the Coalition for the Sahel established at the Pau summit in January. He reiterated the call for a comprehensive support package for the G5 Sahel, funded by assessed contributions, likewise advocating support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
Pierre Buyoya, African Union High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, addressed the Council on behalf of African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, stressing that the Sahel is experiencing a triple health, economic and security crisis linked to COVID‑19.
“The situation has deteriorated sharply, especially since the second half of 2019,” he said, and particularly in the Liptako-Gourma area, known as the “three borders area”, where terrorist activities have increased in number and intensity. Intercommunal violence in central Mali continues — despite multiple strategies implemented by the Government — and has led to a significant number of civilian casualties in recent weeks. Such volatility naturally has caused humanitarian conditions and respect for human rights to deteriorate.
Faced with this situation, Mali has put in place a new military initiative, “Operation Maliko”, he said, the results of which are visible. The G5 Sahel joint force has grown in strength, and the cooperation and coordination mechanism set up in Pau appears to be working. Other initiatives have been under way since 2019, notably by ECOWAS, which has provided significant financial support to the G5 Sahel. The African Union, at the summit in February, similarly expressed its solidarity by deciding to deploy a force of 3,000 personnel. The process of establishing this force is under way.
On the political front, he commended Mali on the holding of the national inclusive dialogue and organization of legislative elections, which enabled the instalment of the new National Assembly. Progress also has been made on the deployment of the reconstituted army and he encouraged Malian authorities to complete the accelerated disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process — one that will lead to the total disarmament of armed movements and militias.
In that context, he welcomed the establishment of the interim authorities in the Taoudénit and Ménaka regions and encouraged the Government to complete this process this year. He also welcomed the transfer of competences and resources to local authorities and the operationalization of the territorial police. On the expected formation a new Government, he expressed hope that the next Government will create a “new dynamic” in the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement, with the adoption of a new timetable to complete the identified priority actions.
“The political and security situation in Mali — and in the Sahel region — remains difficult,” he said. It requires sustained efforts by the international community, in particular for the optimal implementation of Mali’s peace agreement. “This agreement constitutes the privileged framework and way for the resolution of the multidimensional crisis that this country is experiencing”, he assured, expressing support for the renewal of MINUSMA’s mandate with its current staff.
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