Roundup: UN official sees dire security situation in Mali, asks for more peacekeeping resources

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Wednesday voiced concern over the dire security situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region, and asked for more resources for the UN peacekeeping force in Mali.

The security situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region is deteriorating at an alarming rate, Lacroix told the Security Council.

Last week, 18 UN peacekeepers in Mali were injured in an attack on their camp. On Thursday, 89 Nigerien soldiers were killed during an attack against their base close to the Malian border. On Jan. 4, 14 children lost their lives in northern Burkina Faso on the border with Mali in an attack against a bus, Lacroix noted.

Terrorist groups are proliferating in the Menaka and Gao regions in Mali. There has been an increase in attacks using improvised explosive devices against UN convoys, which have caused a number of injuries to peacekeepers, he said.

These incidents are happening on an almost daily basis, or at least very regularly, and protection measures taken by the peacekeeping force in Mali have allowed the number of deaths to be limited, he said. "Of course, that remains a long way to go in this area (of protection)."

Terrorism continues to feed into intercommunal violence in the center of Mali. There are now more displaced persons suffering from hunger in the Mopti region than there were in the past, said Lacroix.

In political terms, the implementation of the peace agreement has been slow and irregular. Important decisions have been postponed because of disagreements between and among the signatories.

However, he said, significant progress has also been made. The inclusive national dialogue concluded in Bamako on Dec. 22, nine months after its announcement.

He asked the Malian government to respect its commitment to implementing the results and continue to reach out to the opposition.

"This will require charting a clear path for the future, including the adoption and implementation of an electoral timeline and a timeline for revised reform, as well as the holding of legislative elections and a constitutional referendum."

He urged all political players to work together constructively to implement the conclusions of the dialogue. "The Malian people need to see and feel that their voices have been heard, and that their concerns are taken into account," he said.

Lacroix also expressed the hope that the conclusion of the dialogue will provide a new, urgent boost to the implementation of the peace agreement.

The rapid and thorough implementation of the peace agreement remains the only viable path for the stabilization of Mali. It provides the framework for the required political and institutional reforms to restore and decentralize state authority, to build a Malian state that reflects the diversity and interests of all its citizens. The peace agreement also provides for mechanisms to address the grievances of those Malians who feel excluded from the country's political life and economic development and who see little hope for their future, he said.

Important progress has been made, including the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants into the defense and security forces, and the creation of a legal framework to establish an economic development zone in the north. But there are increasing challenges in terms of security, and these may counter gains which have been so dearly earned during the peace agreement signature process, said Lacroix.

The redeployment of the reconstituted units of the Malian defense and security forces to the north remains an urgent priority, he said.

On Jan. 6, the Malian authorities started the deployment of the first reconstituted battalion from Bamako to Kidal. It is expected to arrive in Kidal by the end of the month.

"This is an important step toward restoring state authority across the country. The deployment of the reconstituted units will also pave the way for the redeployment of a more effective state administration and public services, most importantly justice officials, teachers and health workers in the north."

As the Malian national forces move northward, the UN peacekeeping force in Mali, or MINUSMA, is trying to implement its second strategic priority in the central region, while continuing to carry out tasks in support of its primary strategic priority in the north, said Lacroix.

The mission's added focus on central Mali requires it to divert key capabilities, such as air assets, its quick reaction force and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets from Gao to Mopti.

It is not feasible for the mission to implement its additional strategic priority in the center without additional resources. Attempting to do so has resulted in dangerous gaps in areas in the north, where the mission's presence is critical and urgently needed, he said.

In order to address this challenge, MINUSMA has developed a viable plan for the adaptation of its uniformed components within the authorized troops and police strength. The plan provides for the establishment of a mobile task force, which will make MINUSMA more agile, flexible and mobile with tailored units and enhanced capabilities, most importantly additional air mobility, said Lacroix.

The plan is ambitious and its success depends on the support of the Security Council and other member states, troop and police contributors, the host government and other partners. Obtaining the required capabilities is going to be challenging, he said.

"But I insist this is indispensable for MINUSMA to deliver on its mandate. It is also an integral part of efforts to further enhance the mission's performance."

He called on all partners to support the implementation of the plan and to help the UN Secretariat to mobilize the required resources and capabilities to ensure MINUSMA remains fit for purpose.

In addition, to achieve the implementation of this plan and fulfill its mandate, the mission urgently requires access to additional land in both Gao and Mopti, he said. "I urge the government of Mali to make it available as quickly as possible as per ongoing discussions."

Despite increased and sophisticated capabilities, MINUSMA can only be as effective and efficient as the parties and partners want it to be. Political will remains the most important enabler for any peacekeeping operation to be effective, he said.

Lacroix reiterated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' appeal to all Malian leaders to display the necessary leadership and work together to address the challenges their country is facing with the support of the international community. Enditem

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