Despite a resurgence of COVID-19 and delays in Mali’s political transition following the August 2020 coup d’état, a newly revised Transitional Road Map and strong international support are cause for cautious hope, the senior United Nations official in the country told the Security Council during a videoconference meeting today.

“While the year 2020 was one of risks for Mali, 2021 deserves to be seen with optimism,” said Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation (document S/2020/1281), he said the period under review was marked by delays in the political transition and in appointing several critical officials.

Whereas the Transitional National Council remains committed to reforms that are vital for the return to constitutional order, he added, it nevertheless failed to muster the necessary political consensus on some items, resulting in a further unravelling of the socioeconomic situation. He reiterated his hope that the current transitional period will help Mali escape the “vicious cycle” of political instability.

He went on to praise the strong support demonstrated by, among other partners, the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, all of which stand ready to support the transition.

Like other countries, Mali has seen a resurgence of COVID-19 in recent months, which resulted in the deaths of Pierre Buyoya, former African Union High Representative to Mali, and former opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé, he said, adding that the coronavirus has not spared MINUSMA staff.

Turning to counter-terrorism efforts, he said that, despite the success of international forces, recent months have seen a recurrence of deadly attacks in Mali’s border regions, including one in which more than 100 Nigerien civilians were killed. In central Mali, MINUSMA stands committed to supporting security by intensifying its civilian protection patrols, he emphasized, saying that the Mission, alongside other United Nations entities, is also supporting reconciliation and conflict prevention teams on the ground.

Concluding his remarks, he welcomed the fact that all transitional bodies are now operational and the parties have agreed to a revised Transitional Road Map for implementation of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. He said the transition’s success relies on the implementation of critical reforms and the holding of credible elections, the outcome of which is accepted by the majority of Malians. “The process will only be viable if it is the result of the will of Malian political actors,” he emphasized, warning that international support — while critical — will not be enough.

As Council members took the floor, many welcomed the support demonstrated by MINUSMA, ECOWAS, the “Group of Five” for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) joint force and other regional entities in helping Mali’s transitional authorities restore stability. Several also welcomed the agreement on a revised Transitional Road Map, while underlining the need for the global community to remain engaged in Mali’s political process and in counter-terrorism efforts across the wider region.

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