Credit: unminusma / Mahamat Saleh Annadif ,   Special Representative and head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)  was expected to address UN Security Council meeting on situation in Mali July 27, 2020. 

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW  YORK –   The UN Security Council held  a meeting  Monday on the ongoing political and civil unrest in west African nation Mali called by Russia.  Last week, Russia proposed the meeting on Mali, but Niger requested to delay a Council meeting until after a planned mission of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of state to Mali, which took place yesterday, and an extraordinary ECOWAS summit on the situation planned for Monday.  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 this month.  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. 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.   

Special Representative and head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) Mahamat Saleh Annadif was expected to brief Security Council members during Monday’s closed videoconference (VTC) meeting.  Members expressed  support for the mediation efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and took note of the recommendations endorsed by ECOWAS heads of state at Monday’s extraordinary summit.

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. 

UN Security Council members have been negotiating a draft presidential statement on West Africa and the Sahel following their 9 July six-monthly meeting with Special Representative Mohamed Ibn Chambas of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel. The current draft text, which addresses the turmoil in Mali, urges Malian stakeholders to engage in dialogue based on ECOWAS’ recommendations.

The current crisis comes as Mali struggles to implement a 2015 peace agreement with armed groups in the north, as well as dealing with widespread insecurity in its northern and central regions from terrorist groups and intercommunal violence.