Thank you, Mr. Vice President

Albania thanks the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali, Mr. Alioune Tine, for the update today.

We are very concerned by the situation in Mali, which is significantly deteriorated in 2023, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups and the counterterrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The armed violence has worsened the already dire humanitarian crisis with 8.8 million people requiring.

The situation of children is particularly difficult, with at least 1.6 million children in urgent need of protection. The armed conflict, internal displacement, and restricted humanitarian access risk pushing nearly 1 million Malian children under the age of 5 years into acute malnutrition.

Albania appreciates the important role of MINUSMA as a stabilising force in the country, and we are very concerned about the increasing risk of violence for communities in Northern and Central Mali, after its departure. At the same time, we are deeply concerned for the presence of the Wagner Group in Mali.

We call on the Mali transitional authorities to fully investigate the allegations on mass killings in Moura reported in the OHCHR’s report and to hold perpetrators accountable.

Thank you.