UN Security Council discusses situation in Mali under Vietnam's chairmanship

Helicopter carrying peacekeeping forces in Mali - MINUSMA. Source: news.un.org)

On January 15, US time, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy - Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations chaired a meeting of the Security Council to listen to the UN Secretary-General's report on the political and security situation in Mali, the activities of the United Nations Mission to Stabilize the Situation in Mali (MINUSMA) and discuss the MINUSMA's Action Plan in the coming time.

According to the United Nations report, the security situation in Mali is deteriorating, especially in the northern and central regions of the country. Violence and terrorist activities have increased, targeting civilians, government forces and UN peacekeepers in the MINUSMA Mission, causing many casualties and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

About 1,000 schools were closed, preventing children from going to school, creating social unrest and opportunities for armed groups to recruit children and young people.

Regarding the implementation of the 2015 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mali (Algiers Agreement), although there have been some discussions and exchanges between the Malian government and relevant parties, in general there has not been much substantive progress in implementing the contents stipulated in Resolution 2480 of the Security Council such as reforming the Malian constitution, decentralization, reforming the security apparatus, developing the northern region and ensuring the full, substantive and effective participation of women.

The UN Secretary-General noted that the Government of Mali held sessions of “inclusive national dialogue” from October to December 2019.

The Malian Foreign Minister said that the results of the recent national dialogue sessions were reflected in the following four resolutions: Holding parliamentary elections before the end of the National Assembly's term on May 2; Holding a referendum on constitutional amendments; Redeploying the restructured defense and security forces throughout Mali; and Reviewing certain provisions of the 2015 Peace Agreement. The Malian Foreign Minister also emphasized the government's commitment to implementing the Algiers Agreement.

At the meeting, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the United Nations and President of the Security Council in January 2020, delivered a speech as a national representative, sharing concerns with the UN Secretary-General and other countries about the security situation in Mali; condemning attacks on civilians, Malian security forces and MINUSMA.

He stressed that the full implementation of the Algiers Agreement is necessary and important to maintain peace and security in Mali and called on relevant parties to continue dialogue to implement the Agreement.

The Ambassador called on relevant parties to comply with their obligations to protect civilians, especially women and children, to enhance the full, substantive and comprehensive participation of women in the political and economic processes in Mali; to support the activities of MINUSMA and the efforts of the international community in assisting the Malian government in maintaining international peace and security.