- The Monitoring and Support Group for the Transition in Mali (GST-Mali) held its second meeting in Lomé (Togo) on March 08, 2021, under the auspices of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations, co-chairs of the Group. The opening ceremony was chaired by SEM. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Togolese Republic.
- The meeting was attended by SEM. Smaïl Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, HE Mrs. Minata Samaté Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, HE Mr. Zeini Moulaye, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, HE Mr. Robert Dussey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, HE Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway President in office of the Council of Ministers of ECOWAS, the Special Representative the Secretary General of the United Nations, Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), HE Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif. The Foreign Ministers of… The meeting also saw the participation of the Permanent Secretary of the G5 Sahel, neighboring countries of Mali, observer countries and several international organizations.
- The participants were informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali and the other competent members of the Government of the evolution of the Transition process underway in the country, in particular on the progress made in the political reforms. and institutional, the state of preparation for the general elections of 2022, the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali resulting from the Algiers process, the economic situation, the humanitarian situation as well as the challenges related to defense and security issues. The participants had an in-depth discussion on the items on the meeting’s agenda.
- The participants took note with satisfaction of the progress made since the inaugural meeting of the GST-Mali held on November 30, 2020 in Bamako, certain recommendations of which have already been implemented, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Transition Charter. In this regard, they welcomed the completion of the establishment of the organs of the Transition through the establishment of the National Transition Council (CNT) whose role is crucial for the adoption of the expected reforms. The functioning of all the organs of the Transition is a significant guarantee of the success of the current process.
- The participants welcomed the initiative of the Prime Minister of Mali to meet, on February 10, 2021, with the Malian political class to discuss the main challenges of the Transition; They underlined the need for Malian stakeholders to maintain and consolidate this space for dialogue and consultation for the preservation of the spirit of consensus in the conduct of the Transition, with a view to achieving bold Reforms and peaceful elections.
The participants also welcomed the adoption, by the National Transitional Council, of the Transitional Government’s Action Plan on February 22, 2021. This Action Plan which defines six priority areas will facilitate adequate support for partners. On the preparation of the elections, the participants took note of the Government’s initiatives, in particular the creation of a Support Unit for the electoral process which has a political space for consultation open to the entire political class. They urged all those involved in the electoral process to make this tool a real framework for dialogue to seek consensus on the electoral reforms to be implemented in the perspective of the 2022 elections. They also noted the authorities’ decision. of the Transition to dissolve, in accordance with the law, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) whose members’ mandate had expired, and await with great interest the establishment of the final organic system for the management of the next elections as well as the consensual finalization of a timetable for future electoral deadlines.
- The participants expressed their concerns about the risks that the social movements triggered by several unions and corporations in various sectors of the socioeconomic life of the country could engender, despite the signing on February 5 of an agreement with the National Union of Workers. of Mali (UNTM). In this regard, they launched an urgent appeal to all stakeholders to favor dialogue and compromise in order to calm the social climate. They noted the government’s willingness to organize a social conference at the end of which could be signed a SOCIAL PACT between social actors and the government for a more peaceful social climate. The participants recalled the need for all the vital forces of the Malian nation to contribute to the success of the Transition given the delicacy of this period. In this context, they also insisted on the imperative of scrupulous respect for the 18-month deadline provided for in the Transition Charter.
- The participants commended the progress made in the implementation of the Peace Agreement, particularly the adoption, on December 18, 2020, of the updated roadmap for the implementation of the Agreement and the holding of Kidal on February 11, 2021 of the 5th ministerial session of the Agreement Monitoring Committee (CSA), expression of a new dynamic of confidence between the Malian Parties signatory to the Agreement. The participants appreciated the announcements made on this occasion by the partners of Mali. They recalled the importance of the Peace Agreement and urged the signatory Parties to do everything possible during the Transition period to obtain significant progress, and in this regard welcomed the efforts made by Algeria, Head of Wire of International Mediation. The participants also appreciated the visits made by members of the Government in the northern regions, including those of the military authorities to the troops engaged in the theaters of operations and the holding on February 9 of the decision-making level meeting on the implementation. of the “Defense and Security” section of the Agreement. The participants finally encouraged the Malian party to continue this dynamic of trust and consultation to advance the new roadmap for the implementation of the Agreement.
- The participants welcomed the contributions pledged by countries and member organizations of the Group, in particular the immediate disbursement of more than US $ 57 million (over CFAF 31 billion) granted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in support of economic reforms planned by the Government. They appealed to the entire international community to provide Mali with the technical and financial support necessary for the implementation of the Transition roadmap and the Government’s Action Plan.
- The participants thanked the AU, ECOWAS and the United Nations, for their joint efforts in support of the Transition in Mali as well as the international mediation for the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement and all bilateral and multilateral partners for their mobilization and support for peace, harmony and socio-economic development in Mali.
- The participants noted with satisfaction the sustained efforts of SEM. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Togolese Republic for the support of Mali and invite Togo to continue its efforts to deepen political dialogue and strengthen peace and stability in Mali and the Sahel.
- The participants expressed their deep gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Togo for the facilities and hospitality extended to them during this meeting. They thanked the co-organizers of this meeting and agreed to hold the Group’s next meeting in June 2021 in Bamako, at a date to be set through consultation.