Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the open ministerial VTC of UNSC members on the situation in Mali

Mr. President,

We thank UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Special Representative of the African Union Commission for the Sahel Pierre Buyoya for their briefings. We welcome the representatives of governments of UNSC Member-States who take part in this session.

We extend our condolences to the governments and peoples of Mali and Burkina Faso with regard to the death of civilians during the recent attacks to have taken place in these countries.

Mr. President,

The course of events in Mali has a mixed dynamic. On the one hand, the situation in the country is developing in the right direction. Significant progress has been made in the implementation of the peace agreement. The first units of the reformed armed forces were deployed in the north of the country. In March-April, two rounds of parliamentary elections were successfully held. Mediation and reconciliation efforts bring concrete results in the central regions. We welcome the support provided in all these areas by the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

We share the proposed measures contained in the Secretary-General's latest report regarding the stabilization of the situation in Mali, which include steps on decentralization, restoration of state institutions and police presence, as well as the establishment of the Northern development zone.

At the same time, much remains to be done. We are particularly concerned about the security situation. Terrorist attacks, violence and abductions continue. Serious human rights abuses remain. Factors such as interethnic tension, constant attacks by terrorists and extremists, and the delay in restoring of 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 is also of great concern. The number of people in need is growing from year to year. Schools are closed. Apparently, the coronavirus pandemic has become an additional factor that could negatively affect the prospects for normalizing the situation in Mali and the region as a whole.

MINUSMA is operating in a very difficult and dangerous environment. We would like to commend the role of peacekeepers in facilitating the progress on the ground. We share the priorities outlined in the Secretary-General's letter regarding the adaptation of the Mission. Significant results have been achieved in enhancing the effectiveness of MINUSMA. It is obvious that further positive changes in the work of the Mission and in the effective implementation of its mandate depend on its support from the Security Council.

MINUSMA continues to play an important role in the provision of support to G5Sahel forces, which are becoming an increasingly important element of regional stability and security. Russia is ready to positively elaborate measures, including those outlined in the Secretary General’s report, which will increase the effectiveness of the assistance provided by MINUSMA to the regional forces. We also would to express our support to all the recent initiatives aimed at stabilization and development of Mali and the Sahel region as a whole.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, we would like to thank the leadership and peacekeepers of MINUSMA, all TCCs and PCCs, as well as the staff of the UN Secretariat, which is curating work of MINUSMA in New York, for their continued efforts and wish them all the success in fulfilling their mandate.

Thank you.