At the Security Council, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop accused France of “repeated violations of financial airspace” and “duplication, espionage and destabilization”. But Paris denied the allegations, calling them “false.”
While Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop called on Tuesday for the Security Council to hold a special meeting on France, French Ambassador Nicolas de Rivier called the allegations “false”.
The head of the United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Al-Qasem Wani, urged the Security Council to take the necessary measures to carry out its mission in a country where the security situation is still “unstable” in several regions and where “restrictions” apply to its activities.
The four new peacekeepers were killed on Monday by an improvised explosive device. “The security and humanitarian situation is very difficult,” said Al-Qasim Wani. “The security situation is still fragile in central Mali and in the border triangle between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger,” he added.
He continued: “We are using our resources in the most innovative and flexible way,” but the “design” of the peacekeeping force on the ground “cannot replace the means we so desperately need,” referring to the “difficult” conditions.
However, Malian Foreign Minister Abdullah Diop responded: “Contrary to what is moving forward, there is no desire to restrict the mission’s movements”, indicating “a willingness to assert our sovereignty over our lands”. Regarding the future of the mission, Mali’s “priority” is to “reorient it to the foundations of its presence in Mali, especially to support the restoration of state authority throughout its territory.”
For his part, French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere considered that “MINUSMA is in danger”, referring to the activities of terrorist groups and “obstructing the mission’s activities.”
