New York | January 11, 2022 – The Security Council held a periodic quarterly meeting on the situation in Mali. Members of the Security Council were briefed by the Special Representative and Head of MINUSMA, Mr. El-Ghassim Wane and Mrs. Adam Dicko, of the Youth Association for Active Citizenship and Democracy (AJCAD), on current developments, the political transition, and the security situation.
The security situation in Mali continues to deteriorate, including the humanitarian aspect. Council members, including Albania, reiterated their strong support for the mediation efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Mali and called on the transitional authorities to present an election timetable as soon as possible in order to achieve a speedy return to the constitutional order. In line with the decisions taken two days ago by ECOWAS, the members of the Council did not support the proposal of the Malian authorities to postpone the transition for up to five years.
In the remarks made by Ambassador Hoxha, Albania expressed deep concern about the increase in attacks on civilians and peacekeepers and the urgent need to establish a state presence throughout the country. Supporting the fight against terrorism, he condemned human rights violations and abuses, and called for concrete efforts in the fight against impunity and to identify, prosecute and investigate perpetrators. Ambassador Hoxha highlighted the importance of involving Women in decision-making processes.
Albania expressed particular concern over reports of mercenary recruitment in Mali.
“As we have seen in other scenarios, this could undermine the already extremely fragile stability, lead to serious human rights violations and have serious consequences for the relations of the entire UN system with Bamako”, Hoxha emphasized.
“Mali needs sound decisions, responsible actions, not unaccountable mercenaries,” he said.
