Delivered by H.E. Amiera Alhefeiti, Deputy Permanent Representative
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
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Mr. President,
I would like to thank Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, for his comprehensive briefing. We also listened carefully to Ms. Bintou Samake, and we welcome the participation of H.E. Ambassador Issa Konfourou, Permanent Representative of Mali, in today’s meeting.
At the outset, the UAE affirms the need to intensify efforts to achieve stability and security in Mali, especially in light of the current deteriorating political and security situation.
On the political front, we encourage intensifying national efforts to set a timetable for elections as soon as possible and in line with the aspirations of the people of Mali. In this context, we note the encouraging engagement currently taking place between the transitional authorities in Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes an openness for dialogue, the efforts of the Special Envoy, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, and those of the Joint Technical Team of ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations. Additionally, the Security Council’s support for national and regional efforts remains necessary at this critical juncture.
We believe that long-term stability in Mali will also require a re-commitment to the key tenets of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation and to ensure its implementation by local authorities in cooperation with regional and international partners. Given the need to focus on the situation in central Mali, which is witnessing critical security developments, we look forward to finalizing the “comprehensive political strategy” to support stability in the region.
We stress here the importance of promoting the effective, meaningful, and equal participation of women in all ongoing political processes, and we commend the efforts made in this regard, including to increase the number of women in the Peace Agreement Monitoring Committee and its subcommittees.
Regarding the security situation, we express concerns about the threats that terrorist groups pose to the security and stability of Mali and the wider region. These groups continue their attempts to extend their control and expand the scope of their operations – despite national, regional, and international efforts to combat them. We once again condemn the targeting of peacekeepers by these groups, including the recent attack in Mopti, located in central Mali, where two Egyptian peacekeepers were killed, and four others were wounded. We express our deepest condolences to the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and to the families of the victims. These critical conditions and developments affirm the need to intensify efforts to counter extremism and terrorism in line with international law, including by ensuring more efficient implementation of the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and by providing appropriate support to the G5 Sahel.
Considering the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Mali, which has disproportionally affected women and children, the international community must continue to provide humanitarian aid and basic services for the 7.5 million people who are in urgent need of assistance.
In this regard, we highlight that addressing the security threats associated with climate change in Mali would help ensure food and water security and contribute to achieving stability and development in Mali.
In conclusion, the UAE affirms its continued support for development efforts in Mali and its path towards achieving prosperity and a sustainable peace. In this regard, we also take this opportunity to express our support for the efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Thank you.