El-Ghassim Wane, head of the UN mission in Mali, MINUSMApresents the latest report of the United Nations Secretary-General on peacekeeping operations.
He briefed ambassadors on progress in transition and peace, and addressed ongoing insecurity and growing humanitarian needs.
Mr Wane was speaking a day after a MINUSMA vehicle crashed into an improvised explosive device in the Kidal region, which lies to the north. Four Chad peacekeepers were killed and two others were wounded.
‘A clear reminder’
He said they join many Malian, UN and international members, as well as countless civilians, who have paid the ultimate price in the collective effort towards peace.
“This is a stark reminder of the fact that the international community and Malaysians are both on this issue,” Mr. Wane told the ambassadors.
“We can only win this battle together and the United Nations, despite the inherent limitations of peacekeeping, provide the best framework for achieving lasting peace in Mali and the wider Sahel. ”
Draft constitution presented
Mali is on track to restore civilian rule following a military coup in August 2020. A referendum on the constitution will be held in March 2023, with elections expected. in the next year.
Last week, the transitional president received a draft constitution emphasizing good governance and fighting corruption. It also calls for the creation of a two-tier legislature, among other provisions.
The election law was passed in June and 15 members of the Independent Electoral Administration were appointed last week.
Mr. Wane said a follow-up mechanism on the political and electoral reform process was also in the works, adding that it would engage Malian ministers and stakeholders. , as well as the African Union, ECOWAS and MINUSMA regional blocs.
“However, it is clear that the success of the electoral process will also depend on a number of factors, namely the availability of the necessary financial and logistical resources, as well as developments in security. , which has an impact on all stages of the election cycle,” he said.
‘Important step’ towards peace
Mr. Wane also updated the Council on developments related to the 2015 peace agreement that ended unrest in the North a decade ago. The extremists staged a failed coup, but still controlled large swaths of the region.
He said “major progress” had been made since August, following a high-level meeting that saw the approval of the government’s proposal to incorporate up to 26,000 veterans in the security force. and defense.
Action has also been taken on the institutional reforms needed to implement the agreement.
“Measures are currently in place to track decisions made at the decision-making meeting and specifically focus on creating especially The commission is tasked with formulating recommendations on case-by-case management of high-level signing movements, including issues related to chains of command,” he said.
The commission’s success will pave the way to the start of a process of full disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, known as the DDR.
Security and Civil Protection
Furthermore, the transitional authorities adopted a strategy for Mali’s fragile central region, focusing on areas including peace and social cohesion, which MINUSMA supported.
Mr. Wane also highlighted the challenging security situation in Mali, especially in the center and tri-border area with Burkina Faso and Niger.
Elements affiliated with the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (ISGS) and Jamāʿat Nuṣrat al-Islām wal-Muslimīn (JNIM) extremist groups are exploiting security holes, he said. increased activities since March.
“In this context, MINUSMA tries to better protect civilians, keeping in mind the primary responsibility of the State in this regard,” Wane said, citing examples such as redeployment of the army, to increase increased ground patrol north of the city of Ménaka.
“The prevailing security situation in Ménaka and the Gao regions underscores the need for closer coordination between MINUSMA and Malian forces,” he said.
“Furthermore, it also points to the urgency of completing the DDR process and deploying the reconstructed army, as this will greatly enhance the Malian State’s ability to address the challenges of present.”
Replacement and increased hunger
On the humanitarian side, Mr. Wane reported that the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the center and north increased from 350,000 to over 422,000. Neighboring countries are also hosting more than 175,000 Malian refugees.
Besides, more than 1.8 million people face severe food insecuritycould reach 2.3 million people in November, while 1.2 million people under the age of 5 are affected by acute malnutrition.
The insecurity has forced 1,950 schools to close, affecting nearly 600,000 children, mostly in central regions.
Although humanitarians are working to meet these needs, Mr. Wane said they are hindered by lack of adequate and sustainable fundingbecause the call for $686 million for this year is only about 30% funded.
