The Security Council will review and discuss Antonio Guterres’ recommendations concerning the renewal of the UN mission in Mali, the Minusma, on Friday 16th June. The report containing his recommendations was published by the secretary-general on Tuesday 13th June.
After months of uncertainty, Antonio Guterres has decided, Minusma should be maintained to assist Mali, which has just programmed a return to constitutional order. He, therefore, recommends that the Board extend the mission for one year and maintain the number of authorized personnel.
Some camps closed
However, the UN boss also intends to go further. He wants to reconfigure the Minusma, limit its priorities, rationalize its missions, and deploy the teams and the “blue helmets” where they are most needed. Thus, some camps could be closed, such as that of Ber towards Timbuktu.
The Secretary-General also notes the progress made in the political transition – a constitutional referendum is to be held on Sunday but he also regrets the travel restrictions imposed on Minusma soldiers.
Transparency
Finally, Guterres said that he was very worried about the conclusions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which had just accused the Malian army and foreign fighters of having executed at least 500 people in Moura last year, and calls for a transparent investigation.