"Spectacular" progress in Mali


Mali has made "spectacular progress" over the past years according to the French ambassador to the United Nations.

The UN Security Council, of which France is a Permanent Member, is currently in Mali to support the West African country's peace and reconciliation efforts.

The Malian Government has been seeking to restore stability and rebuild following a series of setbacks since early 2012.

A military coup d’état, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists has destabilized the West African country.

It's also been wracked by a series of humanitarian crises.

The French Ambassador François Delattre is part of the UN Security Council delegation and spoke to journalists shortly after arriving in the country.

He said it was important to give renewed impetus to the implementation of the peace accords, adding that they mark an historic step.  He also said that Mali had made spectacular progress despite the troubles it had faced in recent years.

The UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was mandated by the Security Council to support the transitional authorities there in the stabilization of the country and the implementation of a peace plan.


SOURCE: Daniel Dickinson, United Nations.