HEADLINES
-After the forced resignation of Cheick Modibo Diarra in early December, Mr. Django Sissoko was named the new interim Prime Minister. Mr. Diarra’s forced resignation has been condemned by the UN Security Council, ECOWAS and other countries.
-3-5 December, UNICEF Mali welcomed UNICEF Executive Director Tony Lake in Bamako. Mr. Lake participated in Mali+3 contingency planning. During his visit the Executive Director also met with representatives of the Government, civil society and internally displaced children from the north of Mali. The Executive Director stressed the importance for all humanitarian actors to observe the principles of neutrality and impartiality when responding to the current crisis, and recalled that protection of women and children has to remain a top priority.
-29 November the Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Mali was released. In his report, the UN Secretary-General noted that urgent action is required to help the Government and people of Mali.
-In the Gao, Mopti and Ségou regions, more than 1,700 children were sensitized through Mine Risk Education (MRE) in their schools by UNICEF partners. Radio stations are also transmitting daily MRE messages in Bamako, Kayes, Sikasso, Koulikoro, Ségou and Mopti.