UNSC briefing and consultations on MINUSMA

[11 January 2022; 1000 hrs]

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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Madam President,

I would like to thank Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, Special Representative of Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of MINUSMA for his briefing on the recent developments in Mali and activities of MINUSMA in implementing its mandate. I also thank Ms. Adam Dicko of AJCAD for her insights.

2.  At the outset, allow me to express again our deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the 7 peacekeepers from Togo who lost their lives in an attack on MINUSMA convoy in central Mali on 8 December 2021. We also express our deepest condolences to family of peacekeepers from regional countries, who lost their lives in recent months. We strongly condemn these attacks and call upon the Malian authorities to bring the perpetrators of such heinous crime to justice.  Peacekeeping and peacekeepers cannot function in isolation. The expeditious implementation of the Peace Agreement and strengthening of security and administrative presence across the territory of Mali, are urgently needed to safeguard peacekeeping activities in Mali.

3. However, the political situation in Mali continues to remain uncertain. It is important for the Malian stakeholders to reach a consensus on the substantive aspects of the transition, notably the Transitional Government’s reform agenda, electoral reforms, and the period of transition. The decade old political and security challenges faced by Mali cannot be resolved without a credible political process and involvement of all stakeholders. While we note the recent efforts of Malian transitional authorities, particularly the holding of National Re-Foundation Conference, the onus now lies with the Malian stakeholders to take forward the process. We hope that the transitional authorities will undertake necessary political, electoral and institutional reforms and work purposefully towards holding elections and return to democratic government.

4. The implementation of the Algiers Peace Agreement remains fundamental to achieving peace and stability in Mali. Unfortunately, the reporting period has not seen much progress on this front due to disagreement between the Transition Government and the signatory parties.  All parties concerned should work together and advance the accelerated disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process without any further delay.

5. The security situation in Mali continues to remain worrisome, with terrorist groups such as Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS) targeting innocent civilians, national and international security forces and MINUSMA peacekeepers in Mali. The recurring attacks in recent months indicate a further disturbing trend that the influence of terrorists is growing beyond the northern and central regions of Mali to threaten some parts of southern region as well.

6. Addressing the terrorist threat in Mali, which has its presence across the Sahel, needs a strong regional security response, supported by adequate resources and capacities. At a time when international security forces are restructuring their presence in Sahel, it is even more important to ensure that such restructuring does not lead to creation of security vacuum to be filled by terrorist and jihadist groups, but rather should be supplemented by strong presence of national and regional forces. In this regard, we would like to re-iterate our call for a greater UN support for the Joint Force of G5 Sahel, including by providing the Joint Force necessary financial support.

7. We commend the efforts of MINUSMA towards assisting the Malian authorities. However, it is important that MINUSMA is provided with adequate resources to implement its mandate. MINUSMA remains one of the most difficult peacekeeping Missions and therefore, safety and security of MINUSMA personnel should be paramount for all of us. We re-iterate our support for a greater technological integration in UN peacekeeping Mission aimed at enhancing safety and security of peacekeepers as well as for effective mandate delivery. We also take note of SRSG’s efforts towards implementing the provisions of resolution 2589 (2021). However, given the increasing attacks against peacekeepers in Mali, reporting on the implementation should be more comprehensive and we hope this lacuna will be addressed in the future reports of the Secretary General.

8. Madam President, I would like to conclude by saying that Mali is facing multi-dimensional challenges which are rooted in long-standing imbalances in its administrative, constitutional and security set up which have not been addressed over decades. The Malian stakeholders need to take full ownership and make sincere efforts to undertake reforms and implement peace agreement. We remain hopeful that people of Mali will be able to solve their multidimensional challenges through democratic process. We continue to encourage Malian authorities and ECOWAS to engage constructively towards an early solution to the current crisis. India remains steadfast in supporting the Malian people in their quest for peace, security and development.

I thank you.

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