The UAE stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to bring stability and security to Mali, especially in the context of the deteriorating current security and political situation.
In a statement to the Security Council, the state said that at the political level, we encourage intensifying national efforts to set a timetable for elections as soon as possible, in line with the aspirations of the people of Mali. In this context, we note the current and encouraging communication between the transitional authorities in Mali and the Economic Community of West African States, which includes their openness to dialogue, and the efforts of Special Envoy Goodluck Jonathan, and members of the Joint Technical Team that includes the Economic Community, the African Union and the United Nations. The support derived from the Security Council for national and regional efforts remains essential at this important stage.
The statement clarified that achieving sustainable stability in Mali also requires a renewed commitment to the basic principles of the 2015 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, and to ensure their implementation by local authorities, in cooperation with regional and international partners. Given the need to focus on the center of the country, which is witnessing critical security conditions, we look forward to finalizing the “comprehensive political strategy” to support stability in this region.
She called for promoting the effective, meaningful and equal participation of women in all current political processes, and we commend the efforts made in this regard, including increasing the number of women in the Peace Agreement Monitoring Committee and its subcommittees.
The state said: “With regard to the security situation, we have concerns regarding the threats posed by terrorist groups to the security and stability of Mali and the region, as these groups continue their attempts to extend their control and expand the scope of their operations despite national, regional and international efforts to combat them. We once once more condemn the targeting of peacekeeping forces by these groups, as happened recently in Mopti, central Mali, which killed two Egyptian peacekeepers, as well as wounding four others. We express our deepest condolences to the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and to the families of the victims. These dangerous circumstances and developments underscore the importance of intensifying efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, in line with international law, including ensuring the effective implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and providing the necessary support to the G5 Sahel.
She pointed out that in light of the worsening difficult humanitarian conditions in Mali, whose impact extends to women and children in particular, the international community must continue to provide humanitarian aid and basic services, especially with the urgent need for seven and a half million people to receive this aid.
She noted that addressing the security threats related to climate change in Mali would contribute to providing food and water security and supporting stability and development in Mali.
The statement affirmed the country’s support for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
