The UN Security Council looked into the situation in Mali on Tuesday, January 11, and during the meeting, the members of the UN Council presented themselves divided on the issue.
During the meeting, the UN representative in Mali briefed the Security Council and reminded the 15 members of the circumstances under which the National Refoundation Conference and their conclusions, the announcement of the transitional authorities to postpone the presidential election to the end of 2026, the reaction of ECOWAS and the sanctions announced.
For him, the organization will continue to work alongside the Malian authorities, the ECOWAS and the AU to break the deadlock. After all, “ support for the transition is well part of the mandate of Minusma “, He recalled.
The 1,000 additional Chadian peacekeepers accepted by Bamako should allow the force a little more flexibility. But so much the un, as the members of the Council complained about the deterioration of the security climate in Mali, recalling the 28 peacekeepers who fell in 2021, reports our correspondent in New York, Carrie Nooten.
During this meeting, the Council’s ambassadors listened to a presentation by the young Malian civil society activist Adam Dicko, then everyone had the opportunity to speak. France, Great Britain and the United States rejected a 5-year transition in Mali and supported the sanctions announced by ECOWAS.
“Mali finds itself alone in the face of all these terrorists”
For their part, Russia and China pleaded for non-interference in Mali. The representative of Bamako also denounced, in line with the declaration of the president of the transition Assimi Goïta, the announcements “Illegal and illegitimate »From ECOWAS.
Regarding the strong sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, the Russian representative Vassily Nebenzia declared that he “Would be irresponsible in the current circumstances to let this country defer to its fate, especially in terms of reducing military and socio-economic aid to this country.” The imposition of sanctions against this country which is already encountering many difficulties could further degenerate the situation for the civilian population “.
He also reacted to the ongoing controversies on the presence of mercenaries from his country in Mali. ” Against the backdrop of the unexpected change in France’s presence (in Mali), especially with the closure of several bases, Mali finds itself alone in the face of all these terrorists and, in this regard, we believe that the Malians have every right to cooperate with other partners who are ready to cooperate with this. countries to strengthen security “, He declared, considering that” Western countries want to have a monopoly on the provision of services ” in Mali.
The Ambassador of Gabon, who spoke at length on behalf of the three African countries, called on the entire international community to support the position of ECOWAS but the Council, whose meeting ended this Wednesday evening, failed to make a joint statement.
France and EU support West African sanctions against junta
The French President recalled France’s support for ECOWAS and UEMOA during a press conference at the Élysée with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
UEMOA and ECOWAS have given a very clear and firm position with unprecedented sanctions for a country in the region which marks the deep condemnation of the abuses of the military junta. We support this position of UEMOA and ECOWAS. By the end of the month, there will be a formal meeting of our ministers to be held so that the European Union and all the countries that make it up can accompany this decision with sanctions. We are totally in solidarity with the region and the very courageous and clear position that was put forward on Sunday.
French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference
In addition, arrested in the National Assembly, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the head of French diplomacy, declared: ” It is up to the junta officials to take their responsibilities and to get out of the hard-line in which they are “, He declared before adding” the European Union supports the decisions and I hope that the junta will understand our determination “.