A helicopter carrying peacekeeping forces in Mali (Source: news.un.org)

At the meeting, UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre LaCroix presented the UN Secretary General’s report on the political and security in Mali and the operation of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission (MINUSMA) in the country.

According to the report, the situation in Mali has worsened, especially in its northern and central regions. The increased violent and terrorist activities against innocent residents, the government’s army and UN peacekeepers at MINUSMA have killed and injured many people, and made hundreds of thousands of others homeless.

About 1,000 schools have been closed and children have to stop going to school due to such activities, which has facilitated armed groups’ recruitment of children and youngsters.

The UN Secretary General also touched upon the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali signed in 2015, and lauded the Malian government’s organisation of inclusive national dialogues.

In his video speech, Tiébilé Dramé, Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, briefed the meeting on outcomes of these dialogues.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Quy shared the concern of the UN Secretary General and other countries over the situation in Mali, and condemned attacks against civilians, security forces in Mali and MINUSMA.

He stressed that the full realisation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali is necessary and important to maintaining peace and security in the country, and called on relevant parties to continue their dialogues in order to materialise the document.

The ambassador also appealed to the concerned sides to fulfill their task of protecting innocent people, especially women and children, enhance women’s full, practical and comprehensive engagement in political and economic process in Mali, and support the operation of MINUSMA and efforts of the international community in assisting the Malian government to preserve international peace and security. VNA