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Despite security and political crises, UN expert remains optimistic about Mali – Global issues

According to the report, the Malian Armed Forces were accompanied by foreign servicemen who were accused of committing murders and other serious violations during a military operation.

News of the United Nations Alexandre Carrette and speaking with Alioune Tine, the United Nations Independent Expert on Mali, following an official visit to the country last month.

Cancer goes unpunished

Alexandre Carette: Ten months after the military coup that toppled President Boubacar Keit, the situation in Mali remains precarious. The country is facing political and security crises due to drought, COVID-19 and violent extremism, has caused many abuses in most regions.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet denounced extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances and sexual violence, and Mali is under international sanctions – especially from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

You recently told Dong Nhan Quyen Association that the violence there has spread so fast that it is endangering the survival of Malian civilians. What does this mean, specifically?

Internally displaced people (IDP) in a village in Mali's Mopti region.

MINUSMA / Marco Dormino

Internally displaced people (IDP) in a village in Mali’s Mopti region.

Alioune Tine: The security situation is extremely worrisome. It is starting to get unmanageable for Mali. Although we feel the situation is improving from July to December 2021, every day I hear about jihadist attacks, especially from the Islamic State in Dasha the Sahara Desert (ISGS), in the center of Mali, in Gao. And above all, it is the civilians who are being pursued by armed groups, extremists, jihadists and the Malian army.

There were many serious violations, French citizens were tortured and disappeared. And Punishment is a big deal, including some Malian soldiers who are seriously accused of aggression. Even if we do open investigations, structural problems in the military justice system will only impede due process. If the criminal prosecutor can take on the matter, it can’t go far, because the offices of the investigating judges – who must continue legal proceedings – are not ready yet. Therefore, we call on Mali for guidance so that legal proceedings can have concrete results because punishment is a real cancer for organizations and society. It risks discrediting and discrediting the military, can create continued violence, and is harmful to national cohesion. So in this regard, we really stress that Practical and concrete measures must be taken by the competent authorities of Malian.

Prioritize civilians

Alexandre Carette: You might ask who these rampant radical armed groups are in Mali and if they exist in the wider Sahel region?

Alioune Tine: They are groups that loot, rape and force children into military service. Cancer threatens not only present-day Mali but also coastal countries such as Benin, northern Togo, Ghana and Senegal. The big problems today are the result of us not being able to beat these groups since 2012. Despite international efforts calling for massive military means, and financial support, civil society and especially civilians continue to pay the price. We need to rethink our global strategy, which also involves African organizations such as ECOWAS, the African Union (AU).

The first priority is to protect civilians, who are always the primary victims.

Prevent the apocalypse

Alexandre Carette: You mentioned that the international community has invested significantly in security. At the request of the Malian authorities, France announced the withdrawal of Operation Barkhane. What impact could that have on human rights and civil abuses?

Alioune Tine: With nearly 6,000 men and equipment and intelligence, etc., Barkhane is a major campaign whose absence can only highlight Mali’s vulnerability. We always recommend dialogue between France and Mali, who are old friends, and recommend that security cooperation with Malian partners be carried out on a broad basis, respecting human rights. This is critically important to all international human rights obligations. As I and my team discussed with European diplomats in Mali, I saw a glimmer of hope. We ask the international community not to abandon the country, where their needs have never been greater. The fall of Mali means the fall of East Africa – a kind of apocalypse. So again, we appeal to the international community and to the Malian authorities to support dialogue so that everyone can find their place of work for stability, security and peace in Mali.

Security

Alexandre Carette: It seems Mali has asked the mercenaries of the paramilitary Wagner group for help. Many groups have criticized their activities and abuses. Can you investigate these allegations?

Alioune Tine: No one can confirm that Wagner is there. But the real question is why Wagner is there. I think that the people of Africa must build their own geopolitics to ensure their own security, also to ensure their own interests, and to do so in dialogue with the whole planet and especially with with the West. However, we must be extremely careful that there is no negative impact on Mali from the geopolitical changes we are witnessing today.

People living in the Timbuktu area are among the most vulnerable in the country, Mali.  (file)

OCHA / Eve Sabbagh

People living in the Timbuktu area are among the most vulnerable in the country, Mali. (file)

Vote

Alexandre Carette: Today, there is a governance problem in the Sahel region. There was a coup in Burkina Faso and Mali. Elections could be a first step to normalizing the situation?

Alioune Tine: Elections must be taken seriously before any action is taken. Mali is a country going through a security emergency and a huge political crisis with geopolitical changes. In my view, with the help of ECOWAS, solutions can be found through discussion, if done carefully so as not to make the situation worse. We have to continue the dialogue, without saying to ourselves, ‘Well, elections are the solution.’ They must be well prepared so that their result does not trigger another crisis, because in reality the coup came from the disputed legislative election in Mali.

Look forward

Alexandre Carette: What can the UN and the international community do to help Mali’s recovery? What are the priorities?

Alioune Tine: Since all security responses fail, the situation must first be reflected. We need to think about Africa’s security response, with ECOWAS and the AU. In reviewing the situation, we must ensure that civil society is included in discussions before deciding what we will do to overcome the security crisis. We need to find the most appropriate solutions to fix what happened.

Alexandre Carette: Despite everything, are you optimistic for the future?

Alioune Tine: It’s me. I’m optimistic because there’s a debate. We’re talking and that’s very positive. And there are solutions that people are coming up with. I think we’ll get through this, I’m definitely optimistic for the future.

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