Mali's Prime Minister Addresses UNGA: Security, Sovereignty, and Global Governance Reform

Alliance of Sahel States and Security Challenges

• 🌍 The Prime Minister of Mali, representing the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), addressed the 80th UN General Assembly, highlighting the alliance's commitment to peace, development, and human rights.
• ⚔️ He emphasized the ASS's frontline role in combating terrorism, attributing the crisis to armed groups supported by foreign state sponsors.
• 🤝 The alliance is strengthening its security forces through recruitment, training, and equipment, reporting encouraging results on the ground.
• 🛡️ The ASS aims to provide a coordinated, homegrown response to the imposed war, contrasting their approach with states that provide safe passage for terrorists.

Accusations Against Foreign Support and Ukraine

• ⚠️ Mali strongly condemns foreign state sponsors for destabilizing the region by providing advice, logistical support, arms, and rear bases to terrorist groups.
• 🇺🇦 The Prime Minister drew a connection between the war in Ukraine and terrorism in the Sahel, accusing Ukrainian officials of participating in a terrorist attack against Malian forces and alleging Ukraine is a supplier of drones to terrorist groups.
• 🇫🇷 He also criticized France, accusing it of sponsoring terrorist groups in the Sahel while distracting the international community with the war in Ukraine.
• ⚖️ Mali has requested a UN Security Council meeting to present proof of France's support for terrorist activities, noting the request has not yet been followed up on.

Sovereignty, Development, and Human Rights

• ✊ The ASS is determined to consolidate state authority, protect its people and property, and ensure prosperity, aiming to become a pan-African regional power.
• 📈 The alliance is implementing a comprehensive strategy including political, economic, and social development measures, with initiatives focused on homegrown development and strategic investments in infrastructure, energy, and industrialization.
• 🏦 The creation of the Alliance Bank for Investment and Development aims to finance projects across the alliance.
• ⚖️ While reaffirming commitment to international law and human rights, the ASS opposes the weaponization of human rights for political destabilization and has withdrawn from the Statute of Rome of the International Criminal Court to prioritize homegrown justice mechanisms.

UN Reform and Global Governance

• 🌐 The Prime Minister stated that the UN multilateral framework is being tested by nationalism and protectionism, emphasizing the need for a reformed, renewed UN adapted to current demands.
• 🌍 He reiterated Africa's demand for UN Security Council reforms, advocating for two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats for the continent.
• 📈 The ASS calls for robust follow-up mechanisms for international conference outcomes and criticizes the lack of implementation of commitments made since the UN's creation.
• 🏦 Mali advocates for reforming global economic and financial institutions, noting initiatives like BRICS as constructive alternatives and emphasizing the need to address Africa's development concerns, including debt, unequal trade, and climate change.

Mali's National and Regional Concerns

• 🕊️ Mali has adopted a Charter for National Peace and Reconciliation, emphasizing national ownership of the peace process based on its own realities and values.
• 🇩🇿 Mali condemned the destruction of a Malian drone by Algerian forces, accusing Algeria of supporting international terrorism and violating international law, and has taken the case to the International Court of Justice.
• 🗣️ The Prime Minister issued a strong call for Algeria to cease its support for international terrorism and engage constructively in promoting peace and security while respecting state sovereignty.
• 💪 The ASS stands firm against aggression, emphasizing resistance and calling on the UN to take the side of truth and recognize the alliance as victims of aggression, fighting for Africa and global civility.