In a report to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges Mali’s ruling junta to “accelerate” the pace of returning power to elected civilians in early 2024, as it plans to do is engaged.
In this report consulted by AFP on Tuesday April 11 on the eve of a council meeting, Mr. Guterres is also concerned about the persistence of violence, its impact on the populations and the “impasse” in which finds an important peace agreement between the Malian state and armed groups in the north.
Mali has been plagued by jihadist spread and violence of all kinds since the outbreak of insurgencies in the north in 2012. The violence has spread to the center of the country, as well as to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. It is moving south. A UN stabilization mission, Minusma, has been deployed in Mali since 2013, with around 13,800 soldiers and police to date.
The security turmoil goes hand in hand with a deep humanitarian and political crisis. Mali has been the scene of two putsches since 2020 and is ruled by a junta. This has pledged, under international pressure, to give way by March 2024. In his quarterly report, Mr. Guterres notes the “progress” made on this path, such as the drafting of a Constitution and creation of an election management authority. But, he adds, “there has been a delay in the execution of certain essential activities”:
“With less than a year to go before the planned end of the transition, it is incumbent on the Malian authorities to do everything in their power to expedite this process so that constitutional order is restored within the agreed timeframe. »
A “climate of deep distrust”
The junta has just announced the indefinite postponement of a referendum on the Constitution. Mr. Guterres expresses his concern at the “impasse” or “persistent paralysis” in the application of the 2015 so-called Algiers agreement. The implementation of this agreement between the armed groups of the north and the State is considered essential for the stabilization of the country. However, the signatories, in particular the Tuareg groups, are at loggerheads with the junta. Mr. Guterres speaks of a “climate of deep distrust”:
“It is essential that the parties urgently overcome the current stalemate given the prevailing security conditions, particularly in northeastern Mali, where terrorist groups relentlessly target civilians, and all humanitarian consequences linked to this situation. »
In a memorandum posted on social media, the Malian government assures that “the diligent implementation of the transition timetable remains a priority for the Malian authorities”. He also assures that he remains “committed and available for the diligent implementation” of the Algiers agreement.
He questions the basis for Mr. Guterres’ claims that Malian forces committed abuses against civilians in operations involving “foreign security personnel.” The Malian army enlists the help of hundreds of men described according to sources as Russian army instructors or mercenaries from Wagner, a Russian private security group with decried actions.
The government claims an “improved security situation” and “the neutralization of hundreds of terrorists” over the past three months. Mr. Guterres speaks of security conditions that are still “precarious”. He notes the restrictions imposed by the Malian authorities on the air or land movements of the Minusma – a criticism also rejected by the government.
