Oct. 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United Nations representative for Mali, El Ghassim Wane, has praised the agreement reached in July between the military junta and the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS), although he has warned that the achievements of recent months may vanish due to the increase in of terrorism and the worsening of the humanitarian situation in the country.
“A constitutional referendum is planned to be held in March 2023 after the presentation on October 11 of the draft Constitution to the president of the Transition. This emphasizes good governance and the fight against corruption,” he indicated in a report before member states of the United Nations Security Council.
In this sense, he stressed that thanks to this pact between ECOWAS and Mali, the establishment of a bicameral Parliament and the recognition of alternative methods of conflict resolution are foreseen with the aim of implementing the 2015 peace agreement.
The ECOWAS imposed sanctions last November after verifying the lack of progress in the preparations for the elections, measures that included the closure of borders, the freezing of Malian assets and the suspension of commercial and financial exchanges. These measures are lifted thanks to the pact, although the individual sanctions against the leaders of the board will be maintained.
“Its approval by the Council of Ministers is expected by the end of November. In addition, since the approval of the Electoral Law in June, steps have been taken to establish the single electoral management body,” he listed.
The United Nations representative for Mali has also highlighted the agreement between the Government and the Tuareg rebel coalition Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA) for the integration by sections of 26,000 ex-combatants into the National Army.
“But these events take place in the context of a very difficult security, humanitarian and human rights situation, especially in the center and in the tri-border area between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger”, he specified.
Thus, he stressed that the activities of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) — a coalition of armed groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda — have increased “considerably” in towns such as Ménaka and Gao.
In addition, to this situation must be added the increase in internally displaced persons in the country. The balance has gone from 350,000 people to more than 422,000 in the center and north of the country, while more than 175,000 Malian refugees are in neighboring countries.
“That figure could rise to 2.3 million by November 2022. More than 1.2 million children under the age of 5 are affected by acute malnutrition. Last May, more than 1,950 schools in Mali were closed due to insecurity. , affecting more than 587,000 children, mainly in the central Mopti region,” he said.
Finally, he specified that “it is imperative” that “everything possible” be done to guarantee that “the military operations directed by the Government are carried out in accordance with Human Rights”, at the same time that he has said that it is fundamental that the perpetrators of violations and abuses are “accountable”.
