UN security council delegation visits Mali, calls for February election

A United Nations Security Council team arrived in Bamako on Saturday to urge the Malian transitional government to allow a civilian administration to take over in the wake of the country’s two recent coups.

The mission, led by Kenya’s ambassador to the UN, Martin Kimani, met with Mali’s prime minister and transitional president Col Assimi Goita as well as signatories to the latest peace agreement.

“I was struck by the thirst for reform (both political and institutional) that is desired by most of the Malian population,” Kimani said at a news conference on Sunday. “We are now waiting for the end of the transition period which should lead to the organisation of elections.”

Mali is under pressure from its regional neighbours to set presidential elections plans before February 27, 2022. The deadline was established after the transitional government reached an agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

However, after discussions with the UN Security Council team, Malian authorities have said that they intend to organise consultations with Malian organisations in December in order to decide the best path forward for the upcoming election.

“The Malian authorities have spoken to us about these meetings as a prerequisite for the elections. These meetings will take place in December,” said Abdou Abarry, Nigeria’s ambassador to the UN. “We are not opposed to it, but only insist it does not delay the end of the transition and give Malians the opportunity to choose their leaders.”