United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Mali’s military junta to «protect freedom of expression» and defended the «professionalism» of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) following the order for the expulsion of the director of the mission’s Human Rights office.
«In the context of the political transition towards constitutional order in Mali, the secretary-general underlines the critical need for the Malian authorities to protect human rights, including in particular freedom of expression, which is crucial for the functioning of a democratic society,» said Guterres’ spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric.
He stressed that Guterres «has full confidence in MINUSMA and in the commitment and professionalism of its personnel in implementing the mission’s mandate to support Mali and its population, including the promotion and protection of human rights».
Guterres further recalled that «the doctrine of ‘persona non grata’ is not applicable to UN personnel and is contrary to the legal framework applicable to the UN, including with regard to the obligations under the UN Charter and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel.
Guterres’ criticism came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Monday called on the junta to revoke the departure from the country of the head of MINUSMA’s human rights office, Guillaume Ngefa-Atondoko Andali. Bamako alleges that he had engaged in «destabilizing and subversive» activities that contravene the duties of the post.
According to the junta, Andali has given voice in international forums to «usurpers who arrogate to themselves the title of representatives of Malian civil society,» referring to individuals who have spoken out against the authorities and put forward allegedly «misleading» versions of the transition process in the African country.
The leader of the Malian military junta, Assimi Goita, had already put the spotlight on MINUSMA in recent months, calling for greater collaboration with the army in carrying out its operations. The mission has had blue helmets deployed in the country since 2013, although relations have deteriorated following the coups led by Goita in August 2020 and May 2021 and the junta’s postponements in setting an electoral timetable for a democratic transition.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
