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The security situation in Mali is deteriorating. The UN secretary-general highlighted the key findings of a new report on the countries of the Sahel, which was circulated on Monday (16 January).
Al-Qaeda and Islamic State extremist groups are deteriorating security in central Mali, continuing clashes near populated areas in North Gao and Menaka regions, the UN secretary-general said in a new report.
“The level and frequency of violent incidents remain very high,” said Antonio Guterres, adding that the majority of documented human rights violations are attacks against civilians by “violent extremist groups.”
“Attacks against civilians by terrorist groups, fights for influence among themselves, and violent activities by community militias remain a chilling, everyday reality, as do attacks against the Malian Defense Forces and security forces, and MINUSMA. ,” said the UN peacekeeping operation. power, he said.
“For the future, military operations to combat extremist groups will continue to be an important element of restoring security,” Mr. Guterres said in a report to the UN Security Council.
In central Mali, militants are using intercommunal conflict to expand their influence and secure recruits, he said.
In northern Gao and the Menaka region (east of Mali), Guterres said, clashes also continued between al-Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal Muslim (known as JNIM) and fighters from the Islamic State of Greater Sahara. and caused civilian casualties, he said. And thousands fled the violence.
He said the number of displaced persons in Mali had increased from 397,000 to 442,620 as of October, with about 1,950 schools closed and more than 587,000 children affected. He said humanitarian assistance reached only 2.5 million of the 5.3 million people in need.
The secretary-general said the eventual success against extremist groups is that the operation “ensures respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, promotes social cohesion, addresses structural vulnerabilities and delivers basic services.” “I emphasized that it depends on whether it involves efforts to
10 Years of Islamic Rebellion
Mali has struggled to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency since 2012. Militant rebels were seized from power in northern Mali cities with the help of a French-led military operation, but they regrouped in the desert and launched attacks on the Malian army and its allies. bottom. Security has been exacerbated by attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers.
In August 2020, Mali’s president was overthrown in a coup that included then-army colonel Asimi Goita. In June 2021, Goita became president of the interim government after carrying out his second coup in nine months. France, Mali’s former colonial ruler, withdrew the last of its thousands of French troops in August 2022, amid heavy back-and-forth with the transitional government.
In late 2021, Goyta allegedly authorized the deployment of a Russian private military contractor known as the Wagner Group.
The report does not name Wagner. MINUSMA said traditional hunters “accompanied by foreign security personnel and dozos documented violations of international humanitarian and human rights law allegedly committed during military operations conducted by the Malian army.” .
The UN command also documented “several instances of alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by foreign security personnel while conducting both air and ground military operations in the heart of the country.” It has said.
Political dialogue vital to stability in Mali
On the political front, Mali’s presidential elections, scheduled for February 2022, are scheduled for February 2024.
Mr. Guterres pointed to progress in operating a single electoral authority and submitting a preliminary draft constitution. He urged authorities to expedite the implementation of the election schedule announced in July 2022.
Equally important to Mali’s lasting stability is the government, a coalition of groups called the Coordination of Azawad’s movement, which includes Arabs and Tuareg seeking autonomy in northern Mali, and pro-government militias known as the Platforms.
“However, the movement’s recent decision to suspend its participation in the implementation process is a cause for serious concern,” Guterres said.
The Secretary-General stressed that the primary responsibility for moving the peace process forward rests with the parties, urging them to “engage constructively with each other and with the international mediation team to overcome the current hurdles.”
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