Photo Credit: by Gary Raynaldo / U.N. symbol on window at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –   NEW  YORK –   The U.N. Human Rights Office is calling for an investigation into use of deadly violence by an elite counter-terrorism force in Mali against anti-government protestors leaving 14 persons killed.  The Human Rights and Protection Division of the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has confirmed that at least 14 protesters – including one woman and two boys – were killed and 154 others injured. 

“We urge the authorities to ensure that security forces refrain from resorting to unnecessary or excessive force in policing demonstrations or otherwise interacting with protesters.  It is essential that all alleged human rights violations and acts of violence committed during the demonstrations are the subject of prompt, thorough, transparent and independent investigations and that those responsible are held accountable.”

-Spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Liz Throssel

The spokeswoman for UNHC for Human Rights Throssel welcomed  an announcement by Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta that there will be investigations into the violence, adding,  “In line with its mandate, the MINUSMA Human Rights and Protection Division has launched a fact-finding mission to examine allegations of serious human rights violations perpetrated in connection with the protests.”   The UNHC  for Human Rights also called  on all sides to exercise “utmost restraint and use peaceful means”  to deal with their grievances, which have been triggered by a variety of factors, including the outcome of delayed parliamentary elections, alleged endemic corruption and weak governance, heightened insecurity and violent extremism in different parts of the country.

The West African nation Mali has been hit by protests, sparked by the outcome of parliamentary elections in March and April, perceived discontent over the government’s handling of Mali’s jihadist insurgency and worsening economic situation. The latest round of anti-government protests began on Friday, led by M5-RFP (July 5 Movement-Rally of Patriotic Forces), a coalition of opposition politicians, religious leaders and activists calling for civil disobedience.  Demonstrations have taken place on and off in the capital since June, with many calling for the resignation of President Keïta.   

Former NIGERIA President Jonathan Appointed ECOWAS Special Envoy -MALI  

Credit: facebook /   ECOWAS has named Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Eble Jonathan as Special Envoy to  Mali

Former Nigeria President  Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan  has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, as a special envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission in Mali. In a statement issued by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, last week, the sub-regional body disclosed that Jonathan’s appointment was aimed at resolving the worsening socio-political situation in Mali. As a special envoy, the former President would facilitate dialogue with major stakeholders in Mali, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, opposition leaders, civil society and religious organisations towards resolving the socio-political crisis in the country.