Statement by Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, during the VTC of UN Security Council members on the situation in Mali
Mr. President,
Since it is our first meeting this month, I would like to congratulate you and express certitude that with your capable team you will do your best to lead us through this difficult time. I am absolutely sure you will succeed in this. May I also note the excellent work of our Chinese colleagues last month. I think you made history, and I thank you very much for what you have done.
We also thank UN Special Representative for Mali Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif for his briefing.
The course of events in Mali over the past three months represents a mixed picture. On the one hand, the situation in the country is gradually stabilizing. Serious progress has been made in the implementation of the Peace Agreement. We would like to particularly highlight the launch of the work of the reformed units of the armed forces in Timbuktu, Kidal, Menaka and Gao. We welcome the support provided in this regard by the UN Mission in Mali. We hope that, with the pace of time, the deployment of armed forces will be an important step towards the return of the northern regions to normal life.
At the political level, we are encouraged by the successful completion of the national dialogue, which outlined the main avenues in the field of state reform. Just several days ago – on March 29 – the parliamentary elections were finally held as scheduled. In addition, central authorities are stepping up efforts to reduce intercommunal clashes in the central region of Mali.
On the other hand, the security situation, unfortunately, is not getting better. While overall there were fewer terrorist attacks in the recent months, the last two weeks have shown that these attacks are quite large-scale and continue to occur both in Mali and in neighboring countries. All this demonstrates the magnitude and severity of the threats that the country and the region are facing, as well as their vulnerability to destabilizing factors like terrorism, organized crime and extremist ideology. Factors such as interethnic tensions, constant attacks by terrorists and extremists, and the delay in restoring state presence in the central and northern regions of the country can seriously slow down or even call into question the emerging positive changes.
The humanitarian situation in Mali is also of grave concern. The number of people in need of food is growing from one year to another. Obviously, the coronavirus pandemic is already becoming an additional negative factor that jeopardizes the ability of providing international assistance to the region.
In conclusion, we would like to highlight the role of MINUSMA in facilitating the progress on the ground. We are convinced that the Mission needs comprehensive support, especially in a situation when, in fact, it has to fulfill its mandate on two fronts at once – in the center and in the north of Mali. It is obvious that at the current stage, it is premature to consider its reduction. At the same time, it is our understanding that the adaptation of MINUSMA should be carried out strictly in accordance with the mandate provided for in Security Council resolution 2480. The last but not least, we would like to express our gratitude to the Special Representative of the Secretary General Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif for his effective leadership.
Thank you.
