Mali

Security Council Meeting on the Situation in Mali

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(Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/29795162411)

The last Security Council meeting in June convened today to discuss the exacerbated situation in Mali and rally support from the member states on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), set to expire on June 30th, for another 12 months. The chair began with the Secretary-General’s report on the status of Mali and the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in the concerned region, which identified unresolved dangers to peace and proved the cruciality of MINUSMA’s work. By passing resolution 2480 without any objections, the mission was given a modified framework with clearer benchmarks on the definition of success and more specific and centralized work in the most dangerous area of Mali.

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The Security Council on the Situation in Mali

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Meeting 8547 was convened by the United Nations Security Council in order to discuss the current situation in Mali. In particular, the council considered the political crisis facing the African nation, and discussed the June 9th massacre that took place in the central-Mali village of Sobanou-Kou, resulting in the deaths of at least 95 individuals.

Statements were made by the representatives of the member states of the council, all of which began with condolences to the government and people of Mali for the recent atrocities in their country. Member nations unanimously agreed that the perpetrators of the horrific acts needed to be brought to justice.

Representatives also discussed the status of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and heard comments from Annadif Khatir Mahamat Saleh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali and Head of MINUSMA. The importance of the continued efforts of MINUSMA in stabilizing the situation in Mali was emphasized by all member states, all of which agreed that it would be best to extend the mandate of the mission. Nonetheless, it was underscored that the mission could not serve as a permanent solution to the crisis, and many representatives outlined steps that needed to be taken in order to move towards an enduring peace.

Meeting: Meeting 8547

Date/Location: June 12, 2019; 15:00-18:00; Security Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY

Speakers:

  • President of the United Nations Security Council, Representative of Kuwait to the UNSC;
  • Annadif Khatir Mahamat Saleh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali;
  • H.E. Tiebile Drame, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali;
  • Representative of France to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of the United States to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of Poland to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of South Africa to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of China to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of Germany to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of Belgium to the United Nations Security Council;
  • Representative of Peru to the United Nations Security Council;

Written by: WIT Representative Jenifer Miller

Rebuilding Timbuktu’s Past for Mali’s Future

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To appeal for support of its work in restoring Malian monuments, the UNESCO hosted a press conference to inform the press on the progress. Ms. Jensen opened the conference by underscoring that destruction of culture “destroys not only the past, but also the future”. Citing Security Council Resolution 2164 and the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, Ms. Jensen stated that the destruction of heritage sites inflicted in the city of Timbuktu, home to 16 World Heritage Sites, was illegal.

Turning the nuances of UNESCO’s assistance in rebuilding the Islamic mausoleums, Mr. Assomo highlighted that it is the local imams, masons and custodians of the mausoleums that determined the assistance required from UNESCO. He explained that the locality of the team is largely due to the fact that the restoration work is a sign of returning to normalcy to the people of Timbuktu, and leaving it to the hands of the locals empowers them to create conditions of peace and reconciliation. Mr. Assomo also highlighted the restoration work made to the Timbuktu manuscripts, a significant part of the city’s heritage. In this regard, UNESCO took up the responsibility of hosting a global summit on manuscripts in Mali to gather the best practices of restoration. He also appealed for a further funding of eight million dollars on top of the current funding to complete the unfinished business of restoration.

Responding to a question from the floor regarding the possibility of negotiating with the perpetrators of destruction, both representatives from UNESCO highlighted that the organization has, within their role as a normative agency of the UN, condemned such actions. It also alerted member states on the scale of damage and the need to intervene.

Meeting Title: Press conference on “Rebuilding Timbuktu: The restoration of an intellectual and spiritual capital and its vital role in Mali’s post-conflict recovery”
Speakers: Ms. Vibeka Jensen, Director of UNESCO Office in New York; Mr. Lazare Eloudou Assomo, UNESCO Representative to Mali; Members of the UN Correspondent Association
Location: Press Briefing Room, United Nations
Date: 27 June 2014
Written by WIT Representative: Harrison Chung
Edited by WIT Representative: Sophia Griffiths-Mark