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STORY: UN / MALI
TRT: 2:48
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE: 19 OCTOBER 2018, NEW YORK CITY
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, UNHQ exterior
19 OCTOBER 2018, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations:
“In a particularly volatile security context, the successful organization of this election also highlighted an important achievement of the peace agreement: the consensus established between the signatory parties to the agreement, which resulted in the essential role played by the signatory armed groups in polling security in several localities in the north of the country. This consensus is undoubtedly the central element that allowed the elections to be held in accordance with the electoral calendar and without major security incidents, despite the unrest reported in the centre of the country.”
4. Med shot, delegates
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations:
“I remain convinced that the ongoing discussions for a possible postponement of the parliamentary elections will create a consensual climate for the successful reform related to constitutional reform and electoral governance. These elections will represent a new test for the cohesion of the Malian political class and society and an important step for the consolidation of democratic institutions. Therefore, I urge the government and the opposition to engage in a constructive political dialogue, based on inclusiveness and keeping in mind the national interest.”
6. Med shot, delegates
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations:
“This situation continues to restrict the access of humanitarian actors to the most vulnerable people, and to limit the scope of development interventions. This, in addition to aggravating the humanitarian and development situation and also human rights in the country, may perpetuate a sense of frustration in a Malian population that is struggling to see the concrete benefits of the implementation of the peace agreement materialize. The restoration and extension of State authority must therefore be a priority, in order to contribute to the delivery of concrete and measurable peace dividends on the ground.”
8. Med shot, delegates
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations:
“Insecurity is spreading fast, across and inside borders, with consequences ranging from the forced displacement of local communities to the erosion of state authority and of the delivery of basic social services. This dire situation threatens not only the security of the peoples of Mali and the Sahel, but international security as a whole. We are all running against the clock.”
10. Med shot, delegates
11. SOUNDBITE (French) Issa Konfourou, Permanent Representative of Mali to the United Nations:
“I understand your impatience with what you see as delays in the implementation of the Agreement. However, I can assure you that there is no ambiguity whatsoever in the shared will of the Malian signatory parties to honour the commitments undertaken in this irreplaceable instrument, the Agreement for Peace and reconciliation in Mali.”
12. Wide shot, Security Council
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said the “consensus” between parties to the Malian peace agreement was a “central element” in the successful organization of presidential elections in the country “without major security incidents.”
Addressing the Security Council today (19 Oct), Lacroix said consensus established between the signatory parties is “an important achievement of the peace agreement” and resulted in the “essential role played by the signatory armed groups in polling security in several localities in the north of the country.”
However, the Under-Secretary-General said the elections should have been underpinned by more progress in the implementation of key reforms. He urged the Government and opposition to engage in constructive political dialogue ahead of impending parliamentary elections. He said, “I remain convinced that the ongoing discussions for a possible postponement of the parliamentary elections will create a consensual climate for the successful reform related to constitutional reform and electoral governance. These elections will represent a new test for the cohesion of the Malian political class and society and an important step for the consolidation of democratic institutions. Therefore, I urge the government and the opposition to engage in a constructive political dialogue, based on inclusiveness and keeping in mind the national interest.”
Lacroix also conveyed to the Council his concern about the security situation in the country, particularly in the centre of the country. He said the past three months have been the deadliest since the establishment of MINUSMA in 2013, with 287 civilian deaths. He said this situation continued to restrict the access of humanitarian actors to the most vulnerable people, and to limit the scope of development interventions. He added that the security situation may also “perpetuate a sense of frustration in a Malian population that is struggling to see the concrete benefits of the implementation of the peace agreement materialize.” He stressed that the restoration and extension of State authority “must therefore be a priority, in order to contribute to the delivery of concrete and measurable peace dividends on the ground.”
The peacekeeping chief added that violent extremist attacks in neighbouring Burkina Faso have intensified. He said insecurity is “spreading fast, across and inside borders, with consequences ranging from the forced displacement of local communities to the erosion of state authority and of the delivery of basic social services.” He added, “This dire situation threatens not only the security of the peoples of Mali and the Sahel, but international security as a whole; we are all running against the clock.”
Lacroix underlined the relevance of the G5 Sahel Joint Force adding that it must be complemented by initiatives aimed at improving governance, resilience and development. He said if the Joint Force is to achieve any positive results in its fight against terrorism and transnational organised crime, it will require sustained and at-scale support from its international partners.
Malian ambassador Issa Konfourou said he understood the Council’s “impatience with what you see as delays in the implementation of the [peace] Agreement.” He assured Council Members that there was “no ambiguity whatsoever in the shared will of the Malian signatory parties to honour the commitments undertaken in this irreplaceable instrument, the Agreement for Peace and reconciliation in Mali.”
Konfourou said the commitment of the parties was illustrated in their signature of the Pact for Peace in Mali on Monday. He added that there have not been any clashes between the parties, who also participated in securing the recent electoral process.
