Faced with the escalation of tensions during the past two weeks in the north of Mali in the Timbuktu region (Ber, Léré, Diré), the Gao region (Ménaka) and the Mopti region (Tenenkou), MINUSMA has intensified its efforts to ensure the protection of civilians.
MINUSMA therefore deployed more than five multidisciplinary missions during this period, which were composed of human rights officers, UN Police, the Force, the heads of regional offices and other MINUSMA sections. These missions were conducted on 3, 4 and 5 May in Ménaka, Tenenkou, Ber, Diré, Bintagoungou, Hamdalyé and Léré.
They have allowed for an evaluation of the human rights situation resulting from the hostilities. During these missions, MINUSMA has been able to gain access to persons detained by the groups involved in the recent hostilities and has demanded that they be released. The missions have also allowed MINUSMA to establish the facts through the gathering of first-hand information from local authorities, community leaders and parties to the conflict, as well as to identify the needs of the affected populations in terms of security and assistance and to follow up on these needs within the limits of its capacities.
MINUSMA’s peacekeepers have intensified their activities, where the mission has the means to do so, in order to protect civilian populations against possible threats.
In the Timbuktu region, MINUSMA has reinforced its aerial and ground surveillance in Ber, Bintagoungou and Timbuktu, along the main roads. A company of the Togolese battalion is present in Léré since 2 May 2015. The Mission’s contacts, particularly with the Governor, have helped ease tensions. The peacekeepers have also intensified their ground patrols in Bintagoungou. In addition, MINUSMA has deployed troops to Diabali and Tenenkou. In the Gao region, the peacekeepers have reinforced their positions in Ménaka and intensified their patrols in the surrounding villages.
“The protection of civilians is paramount in MINUSMA’s mandate. Given the vast expanse of the territory in the northern regions, the Mission’s limited capacities, as well as the severe threat of terrorism in certain areas, MINUSMA cannot be present everywhere to help populations. However, we do everything we can to ensure that civilians are protected,” said Mr. Mongi Hamdi, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of MINUSMA. “We are determined to work together with other international and regional partners to advance the inter-Malian peace process and put an end to the insecurity and instability of which civilians are the main victims,” Mr. Hamdi added.
