The Malian authorities did not appreciate the latest version of the Quarterly Note of the Minusma. Bamako has set the record straight, particularly regarding partnerships with Russian instructors.
Increasingly plucked after the departure of various African and European contingents, the Minusma however continues its observations in Mali. But its traditional Quarterly Note on violations of human rights has again created controversy.
The Malian government addressed some criticisms to the structure, deploring in particular that the efforts made by the authorities in terms of the protection of human rights are not better highlighted.
Mali also took a swipe at Minusma, which criticized the presence of “foreign military personnel” alongside Malian forces (FDSM) during counter-terrorism operations. A thinly veiled attack on the military partnership with Russia, which did not please Bamako.
“The Malian government reaffirms that the presence of Russian instructors in the country is part of the exemplary cooperation with Russia, particularly in the military field, strengthened in recent years in the fight against terrorism”, replied the government. Malian in a press release.
Methodology problem
If the Quarterly Note emphasizes that almost all human rights violations are attributable to armed and terrorist groups, Bamako nevertheless wonders about the working methodology of Minusma. The United Nations mission admits in particular having collected certain testimonies “remotely”, which casts doubt on the collection of information, indicates the Malian government.
The Malian authorities also welcome the remarks of the Minusma on the progress observed in the fight against impunity, even if the UN mission still deplores the “slowness” in this area. Delays which are explained by the still unstable security situation and legal difficulties, such as the preservation of evidence or the monitoring of victims and witnesses, answers Bamako.
This new controversy will not calm the tensions between the Minusma and the Malian authorities, while the image of the UN mission has deteriorated markedly in the country in recent months. Bamako deplores in particular the inefficiency of the mission, which was unable to support the Malian army in its fight against terrorism, not providing it with useful information, as explained recently to Sputnik Fousseynou Ouattara, vice-president of the Defense Commission of the Malian National Transitional Council (CNT).
A grimness which ended up leading to a slimming cure for the Minusma. Several countries such as Sweden, the United Kingdom or the Ivory Coast have indeed decided to gradually withdraw their troops from the mission.
Source: https://fr.sputniknews.africa/