Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Mali
Mr. President,
We thank Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping J-P.Lacroix for the information he shared.
Russia is deeply concerned by the worsening state of affairs in the area of security in many regions of Mali that has occurred over the recent months. Tragic reports about deaths of military personnel and civilians from the hands of jihadists demonstrate the scale and graveness of threats that exist for the country and its vulnerability in the face of destabilizing forces – terrorists, organized crime and extremist ideology.
The central element of normalization of the situation in Mali is implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation of 2015. We notice certain progress in performing tasks that it outlined. The processes of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants are yielding fruit. We expect units of the ‘Operational Coordination Mechanism’ to be deployed in the North of the country as soon as possible. We call on the Malian authorities to strengthen capacity of regular armed forces and restore the lost positions in Menaka and Gao.
We consider the national dialogue that was launched last autumn as a unifying platform for shaping the future of the country, but in the framework of obligations that sides took upon as per the Algiers Peace Agreement. Inclusive participation of all forces in this process is imperative.
Such factors as the high level of inter-ethnic tension, ongoing raids by terrorists and extremists, delays in reinstalling governmental presence in central and northern areas of the country can impede or challenge the positive changes that has outlined. We have profound concerns about the humanitarian situation. The most vulnerable groups of population - women, children, and senior citizens become victims of violence. We welcome steps made by the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to settle inter-communal disputes and disarm local self-defense forces.
Mr. President,
The Libyan factor adversely impacts the situation in Mali and in the region at large. The so-called ‘Liptako-Gourma triangle’ at the borders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso has become proverbial, as it is the place that intertwines the toughest challenges that the region faces today. We have to state that the “cancerous tumor” of terrorism is spreading to other countries of Western Africa.
Therefore, we support concrete steps taken by the “G5 Sahel” to establish Joint Forces to counter terrorism and organized crime, as well as the counter-terrorist operations that they launch. We would like to specifically point out commitment of ECOWAS members to make a big investment in efforts to overcome the growing security-related challenges. The principle "African solutions to African problems” is a cornerstone of national building for sovereign states of the African continent. We continue to support Sahara-Sahel countries via bilateral channels.
Let me make a separate point about the role of MINUSMA in promotion of settlement. We are convinced that the Mission needs comprehensive support, especially in the situation when it has to be implementing its mandate at two fronts - in central and northern Mali. At the current stage we are not ready to consider options that should reform parameters of MINUSMA functionality or draw down the Mission. In conclusion, let me express our appreciation to Special Representative of the Secretary-General M.Annadif for his effective guidance of MINUSMA.
Thank you.
